The 47-day siege of Vicksburg (May 18 - July 4, 1863) was a decisive Union victory in the American Civil War. Under General Ulysses S. Grant, Union forces captured this Confederate stronghold, gaining control of the Mississippi River and effectively splitting the Confederacy in two.

The Battle of Vicksburg stands as one of the most pivotal campaigns of the American Civil War, fought from May 18 to July 4, 1863. This crucial siege operation pitted Union forces under Major General Ulysses S. Grant against Confederate defenders led by Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton in Mississippi.

Known as the "Gibraltar of the Confederacy," Vicksburg's strategic location on the Mississippi River made it a prime target for Union forces. Its capture would split the Confederacy in two and give the Union complete control of the vital waterway. The 47-day siege marked a turning point in the war, ultimately leading to a Union victory that coincided with Robert E. Lee's defeat at Gettysburg on the same day.

The Battle of Vicksburg emerged from a complex military landscape in 1863, as both Union and Confederate forces recognized Vicksburg's critical position along the Mississippi River. The campaign represented a pivotal moment in the broader strategy to control the vital waterway.

The Mississippi River served as the primary commercial artery of the American continent in 1863, connecting major trading centers from Minnesota to New Orleans. Control of the river provided:

• Transportation access for military supplies across multiple Confederate states
• Economic routes for agricultural products from western territories
• Strategic checkpoints at key river bends controlling north-south traffic
• Communications links between eastern Confederate states and western territories

The city of Vicksburg sat atop 200-foot bluffs overlooking the Mississippi, creating a natural fortress that controlled a 180-degree bend in the river. Confederate artillery positioned along these heights prevented Union vessels from safely navigating this crucial section of the waterway.

The military strength of both sides reflected the high stakes of the Vicksburg campaign:

Force	Commander	Troop Strength	Artillery Pieces
Union	Ulysses S. Grant	77,000	248
Confederate	John C. Pemberton	33,000	172

The Union army consisted of:

• Three corps of infantry from the Army of the Tennessee

• Naval support from Admiral David Porter's Mississippi River Squadron

• Specialized engineer units for siege operations

• Four divisions of infantry within the Vicksburg fortress

• Artillery batteries positioned along the river bluffs

• Local militia units supporting regular Confederate forces

Union forces under Major General Ulysses S. Grant initiated the siege of Vicksburg on May 18, 1863, after surrounding the Confederate stronghold. The operation marked the beginning of a systematic campaign to capture this vital Mississippi River fortress.

Grant launched two major assaults on Vicksburg's defenses on May 19 and May 22, 1863. Union forces attacked the Confederate fortifications at multiple points, including the Stockade Redan, Great Redoubt, and the 3rd Louisiana Redan. The attacks resulted in 3,199 Union casualties while Confederate losses numbered 500 men.

Date	Union Casualties	Confederate Casualties
May 19	942	200
May 22	2,257	300

Grant established a perimeter of fortifications around Vicksburg stretching 12 miles from the Mississippi River to the Big Black River. Union engineers constructed 15 artillery batteries along the siege lines with 89 guns. The tactics included:

• Cutting supply lines through control of roads, railways, and river access points
• Establishing forward observation posts at 300-yard intervals
• Digging approach trenches to move troops closer to Confederate positions
• Deploying naval gunboats on the Mississippi River to bombard the city
• Creating underground mines beneath Confederate fortifications
• Positioning sharpshooters to target Confederate artillery crews

The Union forces maintained continuous artillery bombardment, firing 220 shells per day into Vicksburg's defenses. Naval gunboats conducted parallel operations, launching shells from the river at 45-minute intervals.

The citizens and soldiers of Vicksburg endured extreme conditions during the 47-day siege from May 18 to July 4, 1863. The prolonged isolation created severe shortages of food, medicine and essential supplies.

Confederate forces implemented multiple defensive measures to withstand the Union siege. Soldiers constructed an elaborate network of trenches spanning 8 miles, connecting defensive positions with underground tunnels for safe movement. The defenders rationed ammunition to 3 rounds per soldier per day, conserving supplies for critical engagements. Artillery units relocated guns nightly to avoid Union counter-battery fire, while sharpshooters maintained constant surveillance from fortified positions along the defensive perimeter.

Civilians faced dire circumstances as food supplies dwindled to critical levels. Daily rations decreased to:

Item	Daily Ration
Cornmeal	4 ounces
Peas	1 ounce
Rice	1 ounce
Mule meat	2 ounces

Residents resorted to eating rats, cats and dogs after traditional food sources were exhausted. More than 500 civilian caves dotted the hillsides, providing shelter from constant Union bombardment. Disease spread rapidly through the population due to:

• Contaminated water sources

• Lack of medical supplies

• Overcrowded living conditions

• Poor sanitation in cave dwellings

• Limited access to fresh food

• Boiled tree bark

• Shoe leather

• Vegetable gardens grown in bomb craters

• Wild plants foraged under cover of darkness

Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton surrendered the Confederate forces at Vicksburg to Major General Ulysses S. Grant on July 4, 1863, following 47 days of siege warfare. The surrender marked a decisive Union victory that coincided with Independence Day celebrations across the Northern states.

The surrender terms included the following provisions:

• 29,495 Confederate soldiers laid down their arms as prisoners of war
• Officers retained their side arms personal items
• Soldiers received three days of rations from Confederate supplies
• The entire garrison marched out to stack their arms in front of Union forces
• Pemberton signed the formal surrender document at 10:00 AM in Warren County, Mississippi

Surrendered Confederate Assets	Quantity
Infantry Troops	29,495
Artillery Pieces	172
Small Arms	50,000
Artillery Ammunition	50,000 rounds

Union forces celebrated the victory with specific commemorative events:

• Grant's army raised the American flag over Vicksburg's courthouse at noon
• Union soldiers distributed food rations to starving Confederate civilians
• Northern newspapers printed extensive coverage with victory headlines
• 4th of July celebrations doubled as victory festivities in Northern cities
• Union sailors conducted a naval parade along the Mississippi River

The capture of Vicksburg established complete Union control over the Mississippi River. Combined with the simultaneous Confederate defeat at Gettysburg, these victories marked a turning point in the Civil War's strategic balance.

The Battle of Vicksburg reshaped the trajectory of the American Civil War through its decisive influence on military control, logistics, and strategic positioning. The Union victory secured complete dominance over the Mississippi River, creating a seismic shift in the balance of power between North and South.

The capture of Vicksburg established Union control over the entire length of the Mississippi River from Minnesota to New Orleans. This control prevented Confederate forces from transporting supplies, troops, or communications across the river. The Union navy gained unimpeded access to transport military supplies, deploy troops, and conduct operations along 600 miles of waterway. Major river ports including Memphis, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans connected through secure supply lines, enhancing the Union's logistical capabilities.

1. Division of Confederate Territory

• Split the Confederacy into eastern and western segments
• Isolated Confederate forces in Texas, Arkansas, and western Louisiana
• Prevented resource transfers between Trans-Mississippi states and the eastern theater

1. Military Impact

• Released 77,000 Union troops for operations in other theaters
• Captured 29,495 Confederate soldiers, reducing southern military strength
• Secured 172 pieces of artillery and valuable military supplies

1. Economic Effects

• Eliminated Confederate taxation revenue from Trans-Mississippi states
• Disrupted southern cotton exports through blockade-running operations
• Restored northern commercial shipping along the Mississippi River

Strategic Outcome	Statistics
Territory Divided	3 states isolated
Troops Captured	29,495 Confederate soldiers
Artillery Seized	172 pieces
River Control	600 miles secured
Ports Connected	3 major river ports

• The Battle of Vicksburg took place from May 18 to July 4, 1863, lasting 47 days during the American Civil War
• Union forces led by Major General Ulysses S. Grant successfully besieged Confederate defenders under Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton
• Vicksburg's strategic location on the Mississippi River made it crucial - its capture split the Confederacy and gave Union complete control of the waterway
• The siege ended with Confederate surrender on July 4, 1863 - the same day as the Union victory at Gettysburg, marking a major turning point in the war
• Nearly 30,000 Confederate soldiers surrendered, along with 172 artillery pieces and 50,000 small arms, dealing a significant blow to Confederate military strength

The Battle of Vicksburg stands as one of the most decisive engagements of the American Civil War. The 47-day siege transformed the conflict's trajectory by securing Union control over the Mississippi River and splitting the Confederacy in two. The victory on July 4 1863 not only demonstrated General Grant's tactical brilliance but also highlighted the devastating impact of modern siege warfare.

The battle's outcome reshaped the Civil War's strategic landscape by isolating Confederate territories disrupting supply lines and strengthening the Union's military position. Today Vicksburg remains a powerful testament to the determination sacrifice and military innovation that defined this pivotal moment in American history.