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Siege Of Vicksburg Essay

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Ulysses S. Grant marched his force of 50,000 men through hard times on the west bank of the Mississippi River in the hope to conquer Vicksburg with a vicious defeat. April 30th, 1863 Grant crossed the Mississippi. The Siege Of Vicksburg was a significant occurrence in the Civil War. Grant was nearly unknown until his success at Vicksburg, however it did not come easy. Grant was very stubborn and always wanted his way throughout the journey. He would contradict the opinion of other Union leaders, and oppose the advice that he was given. Even if his plan was nearly impossible, or said to fail, Grant would lead his men down that path anyway. Grant was doubtful and drank too much, (Berg 35) he was said to have always had a drink in his hand when it came to …show more content…

Jan 30, he arrived at Young's Point, 20 miles above Vicksburg on the Western bank (Leckie 458). Grant could neither storm Vicksburg frontally nor establish a base below the city until the spring rains were ceased (Leckie 458). He and his army could not wait out the rest of the winter and beginning of spring without moving. To keep his army from sitting still for four or five months, and to keep his men occupied, to perplex Pemberton in Vicksburg he made four flanking attempts (Leckie 458). All of which had failed. Opposie Vicksburg was a penninsula, it seemed that if a canal were cut across its base the river might flow and bypass the city. After the channel was dug the Father Of Waters refused to enter (Leckie 459). After the first channel was dug Grant tried to deepen and connect a chain of lakes and streams. The two months of work had failded (Leckie 459). 1,700 cavalry under colonel Benjamin Grierson went on a raid through central Mississippi (Leckie 459). April 16-17 1863, the fleet under Admiral David Dixon Porter made it’s move (Leckie

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