Vicksburg: Fall of the Confederate GibraltarFrom the beginning of the Civil War the Confederate bastion at Vicksburg thwarted Federal hopes for gaining control of the all-important Mississippi River and cutting the far-flung Confederacy in half. By 1863, despite Federal successes at New Orleans and Memphis, Vicksburg stood defiant, keeping open the flow of badly needed supplies from the Trans-Mississippi West to the major Confederate armies in the East. But that year, an unlikely new Federal hero--scruffy, cigar-smoking Ulyssess S. Grant--prepared to launch an all out and highly risky campaign to topple the "Confederate Gibraltar." After several often imaginative but unsuccessful attempts to force the Rebels from their Mississippi stronghold, Grant closed in on one of the great prizes of the war. Around Vicksburg, General John C. Pemberton's hard-pressed Confederates held on desperately, expecting relief that never came. This, then, is the story of one of the war's longest and most decisive campaigns, told by one of its foremost authorities. |
Contents
Vicksburg is the Key | 16 |
Battle on the Bayou | 23 |
Frustration and Failure | 33 |
Copyright | |
13 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
action advance Alabama Arkansas army arrived attack Battalion Battery battle Bayou became began Black Black River Born Bowen BRIGADE BRIG Campaign Capt Cavalry Champion Charles Civil colonel command Company Confederate Corps Creek David defenses Department DIVISION enemy fall Federal fell field fighting fire fleet forces front George Georgia Grand Grant Gulf guns Henry Hill hope House Illinois Indiana Infantry Iowa Jackson James John Johnston Joseph July June killed land later lieutenant Light Artillery Louisiana major McClernand Michigan miles Military Mississippi River Missouri moved night officers Ohio opened ordered passed Pemberton placed Point Port President promoted Railroad Raymond reached received returned Road Robert route Samuel served shell Sherman siege Smith soldiers South Southern success supplies surrender Tennessee Texas Thomas throughout took troops turned Union Vicksburg victory volunteers West William wounded Yazoo