1. Vicksburg December 26, 1862-July 4, 1863

2. Objectives Learn why Vicksburg was so crucial to the North. Learn why Vicksburg was difficult to attack. Learn how Union movements led to victory.

3. Control of Mississippi River By the fall of 1862, Union operations had gained control of every major point along the Mississippi River except Vicksburg Mississippi. It was located on bluffs high above a sharp turn in the river.

4. Grant Restored to Command On October 26, 1862, Lincoln re-instated Grant to command in the West. In doing so, he said, “I can’t spare this man. He fights!”

5. Southern Forces In command of the Confederate forces, John C. Pemberton. Pemberton was a native of Pennsylvania, but his wife was a southerner. He had gathered a force numbering over 35,000.

6. Grant’s Initial Plan Grant’s plan was to move down the east bank of the Mississippi and lay siege to Vicksburg.

7. Obstacles The area was full of bayous, swamps, mosquitoes, snakes, which made moving an army extremely difficult.

8. Sherman’s Operation Sherman was detached from the army and crossed the Mississippi above Vicksburg, and tried yo move south, but eventually had to run past the Vicksburg defenses on ships and land way to the south of the city. He moved inland, captured Port Gibson.

9. Sherman’s Operations He then headed east capturing Raymond, Jackson, Champion’s Hill, and Big Black River. This completely cut any supply routes from the east.

10. Naval Blockade Admiral David Dixon Porter finished the blockade with gunboats and the stage was set for a siege.

11. Siege Begins On May 18, 1863, the siege began. Heavy artillery from land and naval guns began to pound the city.

12. Civilians Under Siege Civilians were forced to seek refuge in caves. Vicksburg became known as “Prairie Dog Town”.

13. Surrender Pemberton knew he could get best terms on July 4, so he surrendered to Grant that day.

14. “Father of the Waters” When word of the surrender reached Lincoln, he said, “The Father of the Waters flows once again unvexed to the sea.”

15. July 4 The fourth of July would not be celebrated in Vicksburg until 1944.

16. Result The Confederacy had been split in two. Two of the three war goals had been attained.