Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and the Turning Point of the War By James, Nicholas, Jamie, and Ryan.

In 1863, no one was winning The south was being defensive. They wanted the war to end. The North wasn’t getting tired of fighting. The war was being fought on Southern soil.

Winfield Scott Union General

Winfield Scott Born in Virginia, but loyal to the Union. Felt the war was wrong, and wanted as little bloodshed as possible. Came up with “The Anaconda Plan”

The Anaconda Plan

The Anaconda Plan Military strategy thought of by Gen. Scott. The plan aimed to cause economic stress in the South. Thought to be the safest way to end the war. Controlled shipment and trade in the South. To control shipment and trade, they had to control the Mississippi.

Battle of Vicksburg

Vicksburg Vicksburg was a fortress city. It was well fortified. Vicksburg was an important Confederate Base. Many confederate troops were at Vicksburg. Vicksburg dominated the last Confederate controlled part of the Mississippi river. Union invaded for “The Anaconda Plan”

Ulysses S. Grant Major General in the Union Army

Battle of Vicksburg If General Grant could capture Vicksburg, the Union would control the Mississippi. General Grant took 35,000 union troops to besiege Vicksburg.

John C. Pemberton Lt. General, CSA

Battle of Vicksburg More than three quarters of Pemberton’s army at Vicksburg had been lost in other battles. He expected General Joseph E. Johnston to rescue Vicksburg, but Johnston didn’t.

Battle of Vicksburg Pemberton had only 18,500 soldiers, competing against Grant’s 35,000. Pemberton’s army had the advantage of the terrain and fortifications around Vicksburg.

First Battle, May 19th, 1863 General Grant attacked Vicksburg. Pemberton’s army was ready and used their fortifications well. Union moral was low. They had nearly 1000 casualties, 157 of which were deaths. Only 8 Confederates died.

Second Battle, May 22nd, 1863 Grant attacked again on May 22nd. He didn’t want a long siege. This time, he got reinforcements. The Union army had over 3,000 casualties, while the Confederates had under 500.

Siege of Vicksburg Instead of another battle, Grant decided to besiege Vicksburg instead. Union troops built trenches around the confederate territory. The confederates were trapped. A month later, on July 3rd, 1863, Pemberton surrendered.

The South took a big hit The South took a big hit from the loss of Vicksburg. The North wasn’t being hurt at all. In fact, the Union now controlled the Mississippi. The only way to win, was to convince the North that they were losing more than they were gaining from fighting.

General Robert E. Lee General-in-Chief of all Confederate Armies

Robert E. Lee wanted to attack the North He knew that he couldn’t keep the north away from the south forever. He wanted to invade the North. Lee wanted to win a big battle on Union soil. If the north hurt, they would want to stop the war, and leave the South alone. Union attention away from Vicksburg His plan was to attack at Gettysburg.

Battle of Gettysburg

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Why is this here? I put it in to show Gettysburg’s location in relation to the entire U.S.

Gettysburg Gettysburg is a town in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is a northern state. Robert E. Lee hoped to turn the tides by winning Gettysburg. Second major battle fought on Union soil. Robert E. Lee attacks Gettysburg to try and get attention away from Vicksburg.

General George Meade *Add stuff on George Meade

George Meade George Meade was a General officer of the Union Army. He led the United States Army in the Battle of Gettysburg. Gen. Meade led the Army of the Potomac in Pennsylvania Meade’s Inspirational leadership led the Union to win at Gettysburg.

Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863 Gettysburg was a huge battle, ending with over 51,000 either dead, wounded, or missing. Second major battle fought on Union soil. Turning point in the war. Union victory. It was the bloodiest battle in the war

What happened after Gettysburg A cemetery was built on the battlefield as a final resting place for Union soldiers. Confederate soldiers were shipped off to different areas of the South to be buried. A large ceremony was put in order to consecrate the battlefield. Poets, speakers, and President Lincoln were called in to speak for a ceremony.

Confederacy is Losing The Confederates was completely ensnared by the Anaconda Plan. No control over the Mississippi river, making shipment along it impossible. Huge confederate casualties. Embarrassing for the Confederates, making it impossible for other help from other countries. Confederacy lost its way into the Union.

The Turning Point of the War, 1863 The confederacy was split along the Mississippi river. They couldn’t ship supplies and goods. The north had repelled Lee’s invasion. The south had no way to win.