Civil War - the Battle of Vicksburg

"When New Orleans fell in the spring of 1862, the triumvirate Vicksburg, Grand Gulf and Port Hudson was destined to become the last obstacle to the total Federal control of the Mississippi." Abraham Lincoln thought Vicksburg was 'the key,' so Vicksburg was the focal point of Union strategy. Obviously, Vicksburg was one of the most important objectives of the Union army. General Ulysses S. Grant was placed in charge of the Vicksburg campaign. He was an exceptional strategist and arguably one of the best generals this country has ever seen.

After fighting their way southward from Illinois and northward from Gulf of Mexico. Until by late summer of 1862, only Vicksburg and Port Hudson appeared to be major constraints to the Union of the two posts, Vicksburg was by far the strongest and most important. Setting high over looking a bend in the river, protected by artillery and dangerous swamps. So far the city had defined Union efforts to force into submission. (Williams 1)

The battle took place in the tangled woods of what is now Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Park about 10 miles west of Fredericksburg, Virginia along Orange Plank Road and Orange Turnpike. The Federals held the land to the east and the confederates to the west. The land was nearly impassable, proving a nightmare for both moving men and logistics. The importance of the location, however, was significant. Railways and roads led to Washington and were logistically important. For two years, fighting for the land surrounding the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers led to stalemate. Twice previously, Lee had been able to withstand attack from the Federals; attacks led by Joseph Hooker and George Meade. Lee’s plan was, likely, to take Washington, which he believed would decidedly win

Sadly the Civil War divided our young nation, this time we weren 't fighting another country for our freedom. We were fighting now fighting amongst ourselves--all Americans!!!! The potential to ruin our own nation from within was a distinct possibility. This was brother against brother-families divided. The Civil War lasted four years, 1861 to 1865.

The Union could use the Mississippi for bombarding cities in which they were fighting, and to move troops to where they were needed. It would also cut the South in half. Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas would be cut off from the rest of the South. 75,000 Union forces

The capture of mighty and powerful Mississippi River was the result of three of the battles of the Civil War. The Battle of Vicksburg, the Battle of New Orleans, and the Battle of Shiloh. These three battles were important to the success of the Union Army without them we probably would not have won the war. The battles are very interesting, complex, and cruel but wars are wars and a lot of people

It can be debated where exactly the Union was able to claim its victory during the War Between the States. Most people could narrow the turning point in the war to Gettysburg and Vicksburg. The battle of Gettysburg was a very tragic loss for the South, but the battle at Vicksburg was the largest victory for the North. In this lone battle, the Union created an economic problem for the South. The Union Army’s troops, helped by gunboats and river ironclads took control over the Mississippi River. This action virtually split the Confederate territory in two while also seizing control over the South 's main artery of transport. When Vicksburg fell to Union troops on July 4, 1863, the Confederacy lost its last chance to control the Mississippi River.

In capturing Vicksburg, the Union had severed the Confederates into two halves entirely removing the Trans-Mississippi from the Confederate war effort. Removing the Trans-Mississippi from the war fatally crippled the South as the Trans-Mississippi had contained “nearly one million horses, 800,000 oxen, over 300,000 mules, and millions of cattle. The area was likewise a source of manpower. During the course of the war Texas furnished 58,000 men for Confederate armies, Louisiana provided 53,000, and Arkansas sent 45,000. Missouri and Indian Territory did not secede from the Union, but nonetheless sent 40,000 and 5,000 men, respectively, into rebel service.” (Prushankin, 2015). All of this and more, including huge quantities of molasses, cane sugar, sheep, oxen, cattle, mules, sweet potatoes, butter, wool, and salt, were transported through Vicksburg, until its surrender (Civil War Trust, n.d.). The capitulation of Vicksburg eliminated all of these supplies from the Southern war effort and wreaked havoc on the already struggling war machine of the South to provide food, arms and men to the army. Moreover, the loss of Vicksburg as an access route across the Mississippi cut off all of the Confederacy’s imports from Europe (Franklin, 2013). Routed through Mexico, European guns and machinery managed to partly offset the South's lack of industry and arms manufacturing businesses (Civil War Trust, n.d.). When this supply of new guns and machinery was ended, the South was forced to rely solely on its own insufficient manufacturing capabilities. The lack of new weapons and munitions factories would severely hinder the success of Southern armies as they struggled to keep their troops armed and ready to fight. Lastly, when the Union, by capturing Vicksburg, seized control of the Mississippi River or aptly called by biographer Lloyd Lewis “The spinal column of

To really understand the battles of the Civil War I had to go outside the textbook. The Battle of Vicksburg or Siege of Vicksburg was a key turning point in the war. Grant’s armies converged on Vicksburg in May 1863 (“Vicksburg”, 3). Grant decided to lay siege to Vicksburg after his heavy losses during the attacks on the stronghold (3). Grants army surrounded the city cutting off access for 47 days (3). On July 4 the confederate army surrendered. The Mississippi river was now open to the Union. Grant was appointed the General of the Union Army by Lincoln.

Vicksburg was a strategic point of the greatest importance. Situated on a high bluff overlooking a hairpin turn of the Mississippi River, it was known as the “Gibraltar of the Confederacy.” Confederate President Jefferson Davis called it the nail head that holds the South’s two

After suffering a major loss at the battle of Shiloh, general Ulysses S. Grant of the Union army led his army south to Vicksburg, Mississippi. Vicksburg was a major Confederate stronghold that held a large supply of supplies essential to war efforts. The Union controlled a small strip of land beside the Mississippi river, right between Vicksburg and Port Hudson. Taking the stronghold would be vital for the Union to claim control over the Mississippi river, which would be a massive strategic advantage.

The battle of Vicksburg’s War tactics was very different, yet intelligent. The concept of these gruesome plans was benefiting more towards the Union than the Confederate. The war between the Union, led by Major General Ulysses S. Grant, and the Confederate, led by Lieutenant General John Pemberton, started the creation of the blockade. The union, investing the city, entrapped the confederate army under Lt. Gen. John Pemberton. Continuing on to The Fourth of July, Vicksburg surrendered after an extended siege, leading to yet another Union

Vicksburg, Mississippi lies on the Louisiana-Mississippi state boarder. Confederate powers gathered ammunition preparing to challenge the passage of union ships. This battle was fought between the confederates and the union. The battle was fought to see who would take control of Vicksburg, solely because the Mississippi River had so huge of an impact on the Civil War. The Mississippi River was essential for defense. Prior to the Civil War Vicksburg had ended up a standout amongst the most prosperous, and refined towns in the old southern boondocks. The city was famous for its municipal orchestra, the imposing courthouse, along with other landmarks. With the coming of the war Vicksburg became one of the most important, and bitterly fought

Union victories in the West, such as Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Corinth, and Shiloh, resulted in the Union possessing much of the Mississippi River. Two points of the river near the border of Louisiana and Mississippi were the only things interrupting the union's capture over the Mississippi River. These two points (or ports, in proper English), were Port Hudson, and Port Vicksburg. John T. Pemberton, which not much military experience, was commanded to hold Vicksburg at all cost.

During the Civil War Vicksburg was a thorn in the flesh of the Union forces, since from there the Confederates controlled shipping on the river. After several unsuccessful attempts to take the town, Union troops, commanded by General Grant, finally captured it in 1863 after a 47-day siege. Its fall was one of the bitterest defeats of the Confederates. These events are commemorated in the Vicksburg National Military Park and Cemetery. It was one of the most decisive battles of the Civil War. Over 1,300 monuments and markers, reconstructed trenches and the Vicksburg cemetery are found within these boundaries.