The Battle of Vicksburg concluded on July 4, 1863, marking a crucial Union victory in the American Civil War. After a 47-day siege, Confederate forces surrendered to Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant, giving the North control of the vital Mississippi River and effectively splitting the Confederacy in two.

The Battle of Vicksburg stands as one of the most decisive campaigns of the American Civil War, reaching its conclusion on July 4, 1863. This strategic victory for the Union forces marked a turning point in the conflict, effectively splitting the Confederacy in two and giving the North control of the vital Mississippi River.

Under the command of Major General Ulysses S. Grant, Union forces laid siege to the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg, Mississippi, for 47 grueling days. The siege forced Confederate Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton and his troops to endure increasingly dire conditions as food and supplies dwindled. The timing of Vicksburg's surrender proved particularly symbolic, as it coincided with America's Independence Day celebration, delivering a devastating psychological blow to the Confederate cause.

The Vicksburg campaign began in December 1862 as a crucial military operation to secure Union control of the Mississippi River. The campaign demonstrated Major General Ulysses S. Grant's tactical expertise through a series of coordinated land and naval operations.

Vicksburg's position on a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River made it a natural fortress for Confederate forces. The city's location at a bend in the river allowed Confederate artillery to target Union vessels from 200 feet above the water. Confederate forces established extensive fortifications with:

• Artillery batteries positioned along 3 miles of riverfront
• Networks of trenches protecting the city's eastern approaches
• Forward defensive positions extending up to 5 miles from the city center
• Railroad connections to Confederate supply lines in Jackson Mississippi

The opposing forces at Vicksburg represented significant military strength from both sides:

Force	Commander	Troop Strength	Artillery Pieces
Union	Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant	77,000	248
Confederate	Lt. Gen. J.C. Pemberton	33,000	172

The armies' composition included:

• Union Forces
• XV Corps under Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman
• XIII Corps under Maj. Gen. John McClernand
• XVII Corps under Maj. Gen. James McPherson
• Naval support from Admiral David Porter's gunboats
• Confederate Forces
• Vicksburg garrison troops
• Mississippi State troops
• Reinforcements from the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana

The Battle of Vicksburg involved several complex military maneuvers executed between December 1862 and July 1863. These operations demonstrated the evolution of Union strategy from conventional assault tactics to siege warfare.

Grant launched five distinct approaches to capture Vicksburg between December 1862 and May 1863:

• The Overland Campaign through Holly Springs failed when Confederate cavalry destroyed Union supply lines in December 1862
• The Yazoo Pass Expedition attempted to bypass Vicksburg's defenses through a network of rivers in February 1863
• The Lake Providence Operation sought to create an alternate river route in March 1863
• The Steele's Bayou Expedition tried navigating through swamps north of Vicksburg in March 1863
• The Duckport Canal project aimed to cut a channel for gunboats in April 1863

Attempt	Date	Outcome
Holly Springs	Dec 1862	Failed due to supply line destruction
Yazoo Pass	Feb 1863	Blocked by Confederate fortifications
Lake Providence	Mar 1863	Abandoned due to engineering challenges
Steele's Bayou	Mar 1863	Halted by geographic obstacles
Duckport Canal	Apr 1863	Terminated due to falling river levels

Grant initiated the successful siege approach on May 18, 1863, implementing three key tactical elements:

• Established a complete land blockade using 15 miles of trenches encircling Vicksburg
• Positioned 220 artillery pieces to bombard Confederate defenses continuously
• Coordinated with Admiral Porter's gunboats to cut off river access entirely

The Union forces conducted two major assaults during the siege:

• May 19: Attack resulted in 942 Union casualties

• May 22: Larger assault led to 3,199 Union casualties

• Mining operations to plant explosives beneath Confederate fortifications

• Construction of parallel advance trenches moving closer to enemy lines

• Implementation of strategic artillery bombardment patterns targeting specific defensive positions

The final phase of the Vicksburg siege unfolded between July 1-4, 1863, as Confederate forces faced severe food shortages and continuous bombardment. The deteriorating conditions inside the fortress led to crucial negotiations that would determine the fate of this strategic stronghold.

Confederate General John C. Pemberton initiated surrender discussions with General Grant on July 3, 1863, through a white flag. The two commanders met at 3:00 PM under an oak tree between the lines, where Pemberton initially demanded his troops be allowed to march out with their weapons. Grant rejected these terms in a brief 30-minute meeting, then sent his formal conditions via messenger at 10:00 PM that evening.

The final surrender terms included four key provisions:

• Confederate officers retained their side arms personal baggage
• Enlisted men received food rations three days' march
• 31,600 Confederate soldiers entered into parole status
• All military equipment weapons ammunition transferred to Union control

Surrender Statistics	Numbers
Confederate Prisoners	29,491
Artillery Pieces Captured	172
Small Arms Surrendered	50,000
Ammunition Rounds	600,000

The garrison formally surrendered at 10:00 AM on July 4, 1863, with Union forces entering the city to raise the American flag over the courthouse. Confederate soldiers stacked their arms outside the fortification lines marked the end of their 47-day resistance.

The Confederate surrender at Vicksburg occurred precisely at 10:00 AM on Independence Day, 1863. This strategic victory secured Union control over the Mississippi River throughout its entire length.

The surrender ceremony took place on the lawn of the Willis-Cowan House in Vicksburg. Confederate Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton met with Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant to formalize the capitulation terms, which included:

• Confederate officers retained side arms plus one personal mount each

• 31,600 Confederate soldiers entered into parole status

• All military equipment transferred to Union ownership:

• 172 artillery pieces

• 50,000 small arms

• 600,000 ammunition rounds

• The 45th Illinois Infantry raised the American flag over the Vicksburg courthouse

• Union soldiers distributed food rations to starving Confederate troops

• Federal forces established control points at:

• River batteries

• Fort Hill

• The city's primary defensive positions

• Admiral David Porter's gunboats moved into position along the waterfront

• Union quartermasters took inventory of captured Confederate supplies

• Grant's army secured the city's:

• Strategic fortifications

• Artillery positions

• Supply depots

• Transportation infrastructure

The Battle of Vicksburg's conclusion marked a decisive shift in the American Civil War, creating profound military, economic and strategic changes for both sides. The Union victory established complete Federal control over the Mississippi River while dealing a severe psychological blow to Confederate morale.

The capture of Vicksburg gave the Union total command of the Mississippi River transportation network. This control separated Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana from the eastern Confederate states, cutting off vital supply routes for food, weapons and military reinforcements. The Union's Mississippi River Squadron established 8 patrol zones along the waterway, intercepting 1,800 Confederate supply vessels in the first 90 days after Vicksburg's fall.

The Battle of Vicksburg's outcome created a major strategic shift in the war's progression. The Confederate surrender of 29,491 soldiers reduced their fighting force by 30% in the western theater. The loss coincided with Robert E. Lee's defeat at Gettysburg, creating a one-two punch that marked the beginning of the Confederacy's military decline. The victory enhanced General Grant's reputation, leading to his promotion to Lieutenant General and command of all Union armies in March 1864.

Impact Statistics	Numbers
Confederate Prisoners	29,491
Artillery Pieces Captured	172
Small Arms Surrendered	50,000
Supply Routes Cut Off	3 states
Confederate Force Reduction	30%

• The Battle of Vicksburg ended on July 4, 1863, with Confederate forces surrendering to Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant at 10:00 AM.
• The 47-day siege was a decisive Union victory that split the Confederacy and gave the North complete control of the Mississippi River.
• Major statistics from the surrender included 29,491 Confederate prisoners, 172 artillery pieces captured, and 50,000 small arms surrendered.
• The battle's conclusion coincided symbolically with Independence Day and, along with Gettysburg, marked a major turning point in the Civil War.
• Under Grant's command, Union forces overcame Vicksburg's strong defensive position through a combination of siege tactics, naval operations, and strategic maneuvers.

The Battle of Vicksburg ended on July 4 1863 marking a pivotal moment in the American Civil War. The 47-day siege demonstrated General Grant's strategic brilliance and the Union Army's determination. This victory secured Union control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in two dealing a devastating blow to the Southern cause.

The fall of Vicksburg alongside the Union victory at Gettysburg created a turning point that would ultimately lead to the war's conclusion. Grant's success at Vicksburg propelled him to greater leadership roles and helped cement his place in American military history. The battle stands as a testament to how strategic patience and military innovation can overcome even the most formidable defensive positions.