One of these following facts about the Battle of Vicksburg should properly expand your knowledge about the American Civil War. The Battle of Vicksburg, or also known as Siege of Vicksburg, was the final major military action in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. In a series of maneuvers, Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant and his Army of the Tennessee crossed the Mississippi River and drove the Confederate Army of Vicksburg by Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton into the defensive lines surrounding the fortress city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. For further information, here are some facts about the Battle of Vicksburg you might be interested in.
Facts about the Battle of Vicksburg 1: “The Key” for Confederacy
Early in the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln, gesturing to a map of the region, declared to his military advisors that “Vicksburg is the key” and that the failure to capture this city meant “hog and hominy without limit, fresh troops from all the states of the far South”. For not only would the capture of Vicksburg benefit the commercial interests and military operations of the Union, but Vicksburg was also a vital logistical link to the resource-rich Trans-Mississippi.
Facts about the Battle of Vicksburg 2: Worth Defending
Confederate President Jefferson Davis, whose plantation home was just south of Vicksburg, clearly recognized why the city was worth defending. For Vicksburg, in his words, was “the nailhead that held the South’s two halves together.”
Facts about the Battle of Vicksburg – Battle of Vicksburg
Facts about the Battle of Vicksburg 3: Grant’s Plan
After bloody repulses in the last months of 1862, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, commanding the Union Army of the Tennessee, determines to push his army south through Louisiana, using the Mississippi River to supply his troops. His plan is to land his army below Vicksburg, taking this Confederate bastion from the South.
Facts about the Battle of Vicksburg 4: Battle of Port Gibson
On April 16 and 22, 1863, Admiral David D. Porter’s fleet successfully runs past the Vicksburg batteries, giving Grant the naval power necessary to cross the Mississippi, which he does on April 29, 1863. The following day, the Federals establish a strong lodgment east of the river after the Battle of Port Gibson.
Facts about the Battle of Vicksburg – First at Vicksburg
Facts about the Battle of Vicksburg 5: Pemberton’s Movement
Pemberton’s movements, however, were slow and he made little effort to coordinate with Johnston. This half-hearted attempt to please both his military and civilian superiors placed Pemberton’s army in a precarious position that the Federals would soon exploit.
Facts about the Battle of Vicksburg 6: Decisive Battle for Vicksburg
While groping through the countryside in search of Grant’s army, word reached Pemberton that a portion of his opponent’s supply train was lightly defended and within easy reach of his Confederate force. Late on the morning of May 15, 1863, Pemberton leisurely moves his army toward the target. Recent rains, however, have destroyed a bridge over Bakers Creek, forcing Pemberton to make a lengthy detour to cross the stream. For further information related to this battle, you may want to check out the facts about the American Revolution.
Facts about the Battle of Vicksburg – Shirley’s house (White House)
Facts about the Battle of Vicksburg 7: Grant’s Federal
The Confederate army marched into Vicksburg on May 17, 1863, with Grant’s Federals hot on their heels. Seeing an opportunity to strike while his opponent was disorganized, Grant ordered a small-scale assault on three axes, the Graveyard Road, the Jackson Road, and the Southern Railroad on May 19. Despite planting their colors on the Rebel works, the Yankee attackers were turned back with substantial loss.
Facts about the Battle of Vicksburg 8: Own Carter
On June 23, Grant’s engineers completed a bold project. After weeks of tunneling, they had arrived at a spot directly underneath the 3rd Louisiana Redan, a stronghold on the Confederate fortification line. They spent the next day moving 2,200 pounds of gunpowder into position under the redan.
Facts about the Battle of Vicksburg – Vicksburg
Facts about the Battle of Vicksburg 9: Negotiation
On July 3, 1863, white flags began to appear above the Confederate fortifications. Then John Pemberton rode out into no-man’s land—Grant went to meet him. Pemberton wanted to open negotiation for the surrender of the city and his army.
Facts about the Battle of Vicksburg 10: Grant’s Message
In the few days it took for Grant’s message announcing the capture of Vicksburg to reach Abraham Lincoln, the President had also received word that Port Hudson, the only other Confederate stronghold left on the Mississippi, had also fallen. “The Father of Waters once again goes unvexed to the sea,” he proclaimed.
Facts about the Battle of Vicksburg – Whistling dick
Hope you would find those Battle of Vicksburg facts really interesting, useful and helpful for your additional reading.
