Union soldiers occupying the
Balfour House in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Balfour House (1835). Corner of Cherry and Crawford. Home of famous Vicksburg
siege diarist Emma Balfour. Was the setting for one of the most dramatic moments
in Vicksburg history when the Balfours hosted a Christmas Eve ball in 1862 for
Confederate officers and their ladies. A little past midnight a courier
interrupted the festivities to deliver a message to Gen. M. L. Smith. The
General. read the note and then announced, "This ball is at an end. The enemy
are coming down the river." What followed was the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou.
Shell damage visible inside and out. Additional Balfour House Photos
OLDER The Balfour House in 1866. Shell damage can be
seen on the side of the house above the left second story window. The
repair can be seen in the 1995 photo at left.
Photo showing cannon damage to the Balfour house (top left corner closest to
camera).
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The Balfour House in a photo from 1995 (repaired cannon damage still
visible).
