"The Key in Our Pocket"
By 1863, Vicksburg remained as the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi river. Its capture bu Union forces would effectively divide the Confederacy in half and eliminated the South's greatest highway to commerce. Yet, as the months drug on, Vicksburg remained an unapproachable stronghold situated on high bluffs overlooking a bend in the river. In May and June of 1863, General U.S. Grant led the Army of the Tennessee in a campaign to outmaneuver the Confederate defenses go General Joseph Johnston and Lt. General John C. Pemberton. After Grant was able to successfully move around Vicksburg and separate the forces of the two Confederate generals, the campaign ended with Pemberton withdrawing to the well-fortified Vicksburg. After failing to breach the defenses through direct assault, Grant laid siege to the town. After six harrowing weeks deprived of food and supply, Pemberton roughly 30,000 soldiers surrendered. The loss of men and control of the Mississippi were crucial blows to the viability of the Confederacy. Combined with the defeat of the Army of Northern Virginia the same weekend at Gettysburg, the loss of Vicksburg was certainly the turning point of the war. Upon receiving word that Vicksburg had fallen, Lincoln was reported to have remarked, "The Father of Waters again goes unvexed to the sea."
* * * Discussion Questions * * *
1. Why was Vicksburg such a formidable site to attack?
2. In many ways Grant's campaign to take Vicksburg was not only part of the Union's Anaconda Plan, but reflects the overall Union strategy throughout the war. Describe how the Vicksburg Campaign is really a microcosm of the overall war.
3. In what ways was the fall of Vicksburg more of a result of Confederate shortcomings rather than Union accomplishment?
4. Why How does Grant's campaign to capture Vicksburg reflect the modernization of war taking place during the Civil War?
2. In many ways Grant's campaign to take Vicksburg was not only part of the Union's Anaconda Plan, but reflects the overall Union strategy throughout the war. Describe how the Vicksburg Campaign is really a microcosm of the overall war.
3. In what ways was the fall of Vicksburg more of a result of Confederate shortcomings rather than Union accomplishment?
4. Why How does Grant's campaign to capture Vicksburg reflect the modernization of war taking place during the Civil War?
Primary Sources
What was life like in Vicksburg during the siege? Read the letters from the Christie family hosted by the Minnesota Historical Society. The title of the article does a pretty accurate job of describing the contents of this selection in The Century, a popular quarterly in 1885. |
How was the siege of Vicksburg covered in contemporary newspapers? The Chronicling America project at the Library of Congress has numerous digital copies on display. A collection of letters describing Vicksburg from the soldiers who served in the campaign. |
Secondary Sources
This animated battle map produced by the Civil War Trust will guide you step-by-step through the Vicksburg campaign.
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If you prefer a short summary, check out the In4 (minutes) video produced by the American Battlefield Trust.
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Before the siege of Vicksburg was the Battle of Champion Hill - the largest and bloodiest battle of the Vicksburg Campaign. Union victory here left the Confederate Army little choice but to entrap themselves within the defenses of Vicksburg.
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Download the free Vicksburg Battlefield App for your wireless device and let it serve as your guide around the battlefield. Noted historians and guides will explain the Vicksburg campaign through articles and videos.
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Recommended Readings
The links below connect to two easy but informative reads by Jeff Shaara exploring the Vicksburg campaign. Civil War Battlefields features ten major battles of the Civil War War including its history and modern visitor attractions. A Chain of Thunder is a work of historical fiction that puts you in the place of the campaigns major players.