Murder at McRaven: the killing of John Bobb

VICKSBURG, Miss. by Evan Winschel (VDN) — Today’s featured plot is that of John H. Bobb.

It was May 18, 1864. John Bobb, accompanied by Mr. Mattingly, walked down Harrison Street toward Mr. Bobb’s home, now known as McRaven. It had been an incredibly stressful day, to say the least. John Bobb wiped the perspiration from his brow as he descended the hill and tried to take consolation from the words exchanged in his meeting with Gen. Slocum moments prior.

You see, Vicksburg was an occupied city. Where cannon fuses had been extinguished for almost a year, tempers were ready to ignite—embers so hot, even the smallest of provocations could stoke the flames. And stoke the flames Mr. Bobb had.

Years before the events of that day, John Bobb had established himself as a successful businessman in Vicksburg. Born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1804, he and his brother traveled south to stake their claim on a piece of the lucrative Southern economy. Their travels brought them to Vicksburg, where they would eventually open a successful brickyard that supplied materials for the construction of still-existent properties like the Balfour House, Pemberton’s Headquarters and the Cobb House.

By the time of his marriage to Selena, a native Louisianan, John Bobb owned and operated multiple plantations along the river. After a fire laid ruin to their home, he purchased a modest house on the outskirts of town from the Howard family. The home, suitable enough for a childless couple, still needed a little extra space for entertaining. By 1849, John Bobb had added a new wing and conveniently constructed a new brickyard in front of his house—a commute that would undoubtedly be the envy of everyone today.

Even with an inordinately filled plate, Mr. Bobb still managed to find time to attend to his greatest passion: horticulture. Planting extensive gardens on his 11 acres, they would eventually become known as the pride of Vicksburg. Never could he have dreamed that their flowering beauty would bring about his demise.

Earlier on May 18, Mr. Bobb had come home to find multiple occupational troops drunkenly tearing up his beloved gardens. Enraged, he demanded to know what they were doing on his property. With indifference, they responded that they weren’t aware the property was occupied. Words of anger transpired until finally Mr. Bobb retrieved a brick from the ground and threw it at the offending party.

Upon contact, one of the soldiers fell to the ground. Immediately realizing the severity of his rashness, John stood in shock as the man regained his footing. Wiping the dirt from his uniform, the sergeant spat words of retribution, vowing revenge and to “burn his house down” before the entire party retreated.

Riddled with fear in this new landscape, John Bobb, with Mr. Mattingly, immediately sought the counsel of the general overseeing the occupational troops, Gen. Slocum. Relaying the events and ensuing threats to the general, John Bobb was given the guarantee that nothing was to happen to him or his property. With that, John Bobb returned home.

With the entrance gate to his property in view, Mr. Bobb and Mattingly were intercepted by the same men and their reinforcements. Put under arrest, they were led away. Fearful and indignant, John Bobb demanded to know, “Where is your lieutenant? Where are your officers?”

Without hesitation the sergeant responded, “Damn the officers! We can fix you without officers!”

Rounding the corner away from his home, one of the men aimed a pistol and shot an unsuspecting Mr. Bobb in the back. Falling onto his side, another officer approached and fired the final shot through his cheek before aiming the pistol at Mr. Mattingly.

Blinded by fear, Mattingly pulled free as the sound of bullets whizzed around him. In his escape, he encountered Dr. Churchill, who protected him from any further acts of violence. Upon hearing of the events, General Slocum sent a trusted officer to ascertain the truth of the situation. Reaching the crime scene, the officer was met with the sight of Selena, prostrate with grief across her husband, as many troops stood nearby in observation.

News of his murder spread like wildfire through Vicksburg, and angry citizens demanded justice for such a senseless act of violence. Eventually, several of the guilty party were arrested and hanged in front of present-day Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation—right in the middle of structures built with John Bobb’s bricks.

Following his death, Selena had to apply for a visa to leave the occupied city and eventually moved to Sunnyside Plantation in Louisiana, never to return. Her husband’s memory lives on in Vicksburg. Bobb is interred near the entrance to the cemetery, surrounded by an unassuming iron fence and an obelisk marking his final resting place.

Cedar Hill Cemetery Association was formed in 2024 with the goal of assisting the City of Vicksburg in restoration and beautification of our historic Cedar Hill Cemetery. The Association will be presenting its inaugural tour event “Voices from the Hills” on October 16, 17, and 18, 2025 as part of Vicksburg’s Bicentennial Celebrations. For more information or to get involved, contact chcassociation@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.