The Battle of Vicksburg: A Pivotal Moment in the American Civil War

The Battle of Vicksburg, fought from May 18 to July 4, 1863, is widely regarded as one of the most significant engagements in the American Civil War.

Situated on a strategic bluff above the Mississippi River in Warren County, Mississippi, the city of Vicksburg was a critical stronghold for the Confederacy. Its location allowed for control over the river, which served as the South’s main artery for transportation and supplies. Confederate President Jefferson Davis even referred to Vicksburg as "the nailhead that holds the South's two halves together." Union President Abraham Lincoln similarly viewed the city's capture as essential to the Union's success, declaring, “Vicksburg is the key! The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket.”

Through a combination of military brilliance and the Union's mastery of river warfare, Ulysses S. Grant and his forces were able to encircle the Confederate Army under Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton, eventually forcing their surrender. This victory was crucial to the Union's overall strategy, splitting the Confederacy in two and securing control of the Mississippi River, thereby marking a turning point in the Civil War.

Before the Siege: Setting the Stage

In the spring of 1863, Ulysses S. Grant, commander of the Union Army of the Tennessee, set out to capture Vicksburg, understanding the critical nature of its position. His forces marched down the west side of the Mississippi River in preparation for a coordinated assault. The Union navy, commanded by Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter, played an essential role in providing transport for the river crossing and in running the formidable Confederate defenses that guarded the city.

On April 16, 1863, Porter’s fleet of ironclad gunboats and transports successfully navigated past Confederate batteries stationed at Vicksburg. Though their ships endured heavy fire, the majority of the fleet passed through unscathed, allowing Grant’s forces to position themselves south of the city and begin their campaign to cut off Vicksburg from the outside world.

The battle was preceded by key skirmishes at Port Gibson, Raymond, and Champion Hill, where the Confederates were consistently defeated. By mid-May, Grant’s forces had driven Pemberton’s Confederate army back to the fortified city of Vicksburg, where the Union siege began.

The Siege Begins: May 18–22, 1863

On May 18, 1863, Grant’s forces fully encircled Vicksburg, cutting off all supply lines and effectively trapping Pemberton's 33,000-strong Confederate army inside the city. Initially, Grant hoped to force a swift victory, and on May 19, he ordered an immediate assault on the Confederate defenses. The attack, led by Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, targeted the Stockade Redan, a well-fortified position along Graveyard Road. Despite early success, Sherman’s men were met with fierce resistance and were eventually forced to retreat.

Undeterred, Grant launched another, larger assault on May 22. This time, the Union forces attacked on a three-mile front, with Sherman striking the same position as before while Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson and Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand attacked other points along the Confederate defenses. After a day of intense fighting, only a single Confederate position, the Railroad Redoubt, was breached. The Confederate defenders, led by Pemberton, managed to hold their lines, forcing Grant to settle in for a prolonged siege.

Life During the Siege: June–July 1863

As the siege dragged on, the Confederate defenders and the civilians of Vicksburg endured increasingly harsh conditions. Food and supplies dwindled, and Pemberton’s troops were plagued by illness and hunger. Civilians, caught in the middle of the conflict, sought refuge in caves carved into the hillsides to protect themselves from the constant bombardment.

Inside the city, the Confederate soldiers were on starvation rations, and the civilians were forced to make do with even less, resorting to eating mules, horses, and eventually rats. The Vicksburg Daily Citizen, the city’s only newspaper, famously printed its final edition on wallpaper, due to the lack of newsprint.

Grant’s forces, meanwhile, dug trenches closer and closer to the Confederate lines, tightening the noose around the city. On June 25, Union sappers detonated a massive mine under the Confederate works, blowing a huge hole in the defenses. Despite the explosion, the Confederate troops managed to repel the subsequent Union assault.

The Surrender: July 3–4, 1863

By early July, Pemberton’s position had become untenable. His men were exhausted, starving, and surrounded on all sides. On July 3, Pemberton met with Grant to discuss terms of surrender. Grant initially demanded unconditional surrender, but later relented, offering to parole the Confederate soldiers. On July 4, 1863, Pemberton’s army of approximately 29,000 men marched out of their fortifications, stacked their rifles, and surrendered. It was one of the largest surrenders of Confederate forces during the entire war.

This victory, coupled with the Union’s win at Gettysburg just a day earlier, marked a decisive turning point in the Civil War. With the Confederacy now split in two and the Mississippi River firmly under Union control, the South’s ability to sustain the war effort was severely compromised.

Aftermath and Significance

The fall of Vicksburg was a crushing blow to the Confederacy. President Abraham Lincoln had great cause for optimism following the victory, and the Union's control of the Mississippi River was a strategic triumph. Grant’s success at Vicksburg cemented his reputation as one of the Union’s most capable generals, and his leadership in the campaign played a significant role in his later appointment as General-in-Chief of all Union armies.

The surrender of Vicksburg and the Union victory at Port Hudson five days later completed the Union’s goal of controlling the Mississippi River. This split the Confederacy geographically, severing supply lines and isolating the states west of the river from the rest of the South.

FAQ

Why was the Battle of Vicksburg important? The Battle of Vicksburg was important because it gave the Union control of the Mississippi River, a crucial supply line, and split the Confederacy in two. This significantly weakened the South’s ability to sustain its war effort.

What happened to the Battle of Vicksburg? The Battle of Vicksburg culminated in a 47-day siege that ended on July 4, 1863, with the Confederate Army surrendering to Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant.

How many soldiers died at Vicksburg? The Union forces suffered 4,910 casualties, while Confederate casualties were much higher, with over 32,000 soldiers either killed, wounded, or captured.

How did the Union win the Battle of Vicksburg? The Union won the Battle of Vicksburg through a combination of superior military strategy, control of the Mississippi River, and the effective use of siege tactics, which ultimately forced the Confederates to surrender.

Who won the Battle of Vicksburg? The Union Army, led by General Ulysses S. Grant, won the Battle of Vicksburg, securing a crucial victory that helped turn the tide of the Civil War in favor of the North.