The Battle of Vicksburg was a pivotal 47-day siege during the American Civil War, where Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant captured the Confederate stronghold, effectively splitting the Confederacy and gaining control of the Mississippi River.

The Battle of Vicksburg stands as one of the most pivotal campaigns of the American Civil War, taking place from May 18 to July 4, 1863. This crucial siege operation marked a turning point in the conflict, as Union forces under Major General Ulysses S. Grant sought to capture the last Confederate stronghold along the Mississippi River.

Located high atop the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, Vicksburg earned its nickname as "The Gibraltar of the Confederacy." The city's strategic position made it essential for controlling river traffic and maintaining supply lines between the eastern and western Confederate territories. When Union forces finally captured Vicksburg, it split the Confederacy in two and gave the North complete control of the vital Mississippi River waterway.

The Vicksburg Campaign marked a complex series of military maneuvers from December 1862 to July 1863. Union forces executed multiple operations to capture the Confederate stronghold through naval bombardments, bayou expeditions and concentrated infantry assaults.

Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant commanded an army of 77,000 soldiers supported by Admiral David D. Porter's gunboat fleet. Confederate Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton led 33,000 troops in defending the city. The Union army consisted of three corps:

• XIII Corps under Major General John McClernand
• XV Corps commanded by Major General William T. Sherman
• XVII Corps led by Major General James B. McPherson

Force	Commander	Troop Strength
Union	Grant	77,000
Confederate	Pemberton	33,000

Vicksburg's position atop high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River created a formidable defensive position. The city's strategic value stemmed from multiple factors:

• Control of north-south river traffic along the Mississippi
• Connection point for Confederate supply lines between eastern and western territories
• Natural fortification with steep cliffs providing defense against naval attacks
• Railroad hub linking Confederate forces in Tennessee to supply bases in the Deep South
• Base for Confederate artillery to prevent Union shipping through the vital waterway

Defense Type	Description
Natural barriers	200-foot bluffs overlooking river
Artillery	Over 170 guns positioned along heights
Fortifications	9 major forts connected by trenches

The Union Army launched its first coordinated attacks on Vicksburg in late 1862 through two major operations. These operations demonstrated the formidable challenges of capturing the Confederate stronghold.

Major General William T. Sherman led 32,000 Union troops in a direct assault on Vicksburg's northern defenses on December 29, 1862. The attack at Chickasaw Bayou resulted in 1,776 Union casualties compared to just 207 Confederate losses. Confederate forces, positioned on high ground with clear fields of fire, repelled Sherman's troops from well-fortified positions along the Walnut Hills.

General Ulysses S. Grant initiated multiple approaches to capture Vicksburg between January and March 1863. These operations included:

• Canal Projects

• Williams Canal across DeSoto Peninsula

• Lake Providence Canal in Louisiana

• Yazoo Pass Expedition through Mississippi Delta

• Steele's Bayou Expedition via Deer Creek

• Strategic Movements

• Milliken's Bend maneuver along Louisiana side

• Lake Providence route through northeastern Louisiana

• Yazoo Pass attempt through Mississippi backcountry

Operation	Duration	Union Forces	Outcome
Williams Canal	Jan-Mar 1863	4,000 troops	Failed due to flooding
Yazoo Pass	Feb-Mar 1863	7,000 troops	Blocked at Fort Pemberton
Steele's Bayou	Mar 1863	1,000 troops	Abandoned due to obstacles

• Dense swamps blocking troop movements
• Confederate torpedo (mine) deployments
• Fallen trees blocking waterways
• Heavy Confederate artillery resistance
• Adverse weather conditions affecting canal construction

The Union army launched its decisive campaign against Vicksburg in April 1863. General Grant executed a series of strategic maneuvers that culminated in a 47-day siege of the Confederate stronghold.

Union forces crossed the Mississippi River on April 30, 1863, at Bruinsburg, Mississippi. Grant's army moved inland, capturing Port Gibson on May 1 followed by decisive victories at Raymond on May 12 Jackson on May 14. The Union army secured three critical victories in 17 days:

Battle	Date	Union Casualties	Confederate Casualties
Port Gibson	May 1, 1863	861	787
Raymond	May 12, 1863	442	514
Jackson	May 14, 1863	286	850

Grant's forces defeated Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston at Champion Hill on May 16 pushing Confederate forces back into Vicksburg's defensive perimeter.

Union forces established siege lines around Vicksburg's 7-mile defensive perimeter on May 18. Grant ordered two major assaults:

• May 19: First assault resulted in 942 Union casualties
• May 22: Second assault led to 3,199 Union casualties

Union engineers established:

• 13 approaches toward Confederate fortifications
• 89 batteries with 220 guns
• Miles of trenches connecting Union positions

The Union navy supported the siege with:

• 13 ironclad gunboats

• 40 mortar boats

• Continuous bombardment of Confederate positions

• Reduced food rations to quarter portions

• Limited medical supplies

• Constant artillery bombardment

• Disease outbreaks in crowded conditions

The siege of Vicksburg lasted from May 18 to July 4, 1863, marking one of the longest continuous military operations of the American Civil War. Union forces established a complete encirclement of the city, cutting off all supply routes to Confederate defenders.

Confederate Lieutenant General Pemberton organized Vicksburg's defense into three concentric rings utilizing 172 artillery pieces. The defenders constructed extensive trench networks, fortified ridges with gun emplacements facing key approaches to the city. Confederate soldiers maintained rotating guard shifts in the trenches while civilians sought shelter in over 500 cave dugouts along hillsides. Food rationing began immediately, with soldiers receiving:

Ration Type	Daily Amount
Cornmeal	4 ounces
Bacon	1 ounce
Peas	1.5 ounces
Rice	1.5 ounces

Union forces conducted systematic bombardment using 220 artillery pieces positioned at strategic points around Vicksburg. Admiral Porter's gunboat fleet maintained continuous fire from the river, launching an average of 2,800 shells daily into the city. The Union army attempted two major assaults:

• May 19 assault: Resulted in 942 Union casualties
• May 22 assault: Led to 3,199 Union casualties

Union sappers dug 13 approach trenches toward Confederate positions, employing techniques including:

• Mining operations beneath Confederate fortifications

• Construction of parallel defensive lines

• Installation of protected artillery positions

• Creation of covered pathways for troop movements

• 7 ironclad gunboats

• 13 wooden gunboats

• 6 mortar rafts

• Over 22,000 shells fired during the entire siege

Confederate forces surrendered Vicksburg to Union troops on July 4, 1863, after 47 days of brutal siege warfare. The timing coincided with the American Independence Day celebrations, marking a symbolic victory for the Union cause.

Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton met with General Ulysses S. Grant on July 3 to negotiate surrender terms. The final agreement included:

• Parole of 29,491 Confederate soldiers

• Surrender of 172 cannons

• Release of 60,000 rifles

• Transfer of all military supplies to Union forces

• Grant's allowance for Confederate officers to keep their side arms

• Permission for defeated soldiers to march out with colors flying before laying down their arms

• Complete Union control of the Mississippi River

• Division of Confederate territory into eastern western segments

• Capture of 29,491 Confederate troops, reducing southern military strength

• Acquisition of valuable military supplies

• Isolation of Confederate forces in Arkansas Texas Louisiana

• Enhanced Union logistics for troop movement supplies

Battle Statistics	Numbers
Days under siege	47
Confederate casualties	3,202
Union casualties	4,835
Artillery pieces captured	172
Confederate prisoners	29,491
Rifles surrendered	60,000

• The Battle of Vicksburg occurred from May 18 to July 4, 1863, lasting 47 days and ending in a decisive Union victory
• Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant (77,000 troops) significantly outnumbered Confederate forces led by Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton (33,000 troops)
• Vicksburg's strategic location on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River made it crucial for controlling river traffic and Confederate supply lines
• The siege ended on July 4, 1863, resulting in 29,491 Confederate prisoners and giving the Union complete control of the Mississippi River
• The victory effectively split the Confederacy in two, marking a major turning point in the American Civil War

The Battle of Vicksburg stands as one of the most decisive campaigns of the American Civil War. Its 47-day siege from May 18 to July 4 1863 proved to be a turning point that effectively split the Confederacy in two. The Union victory under General Grant's leadership secured control of the Mississippi River and dealt a devastating blow to Confederate resources and morale.

The fall of Vicksburg alongside the Union victory at Gettysburg marked a significant shift in the war's momentum. The capture of nearly 30000 Confederate troops and vast military supplies demonstrated the effectiveness of Grant's siege tactics and the Union's growing military superiority. Today the battle remains a testament to the strategic importance of controlling key waterways in military campaigns.