15 Interesting Facts About the Battle of Vicksburg

Introduction:

The Battle of Vicksburg is one of the most iconic battles in American history. It was the decisive battle that would have an enormous impact on the outcome of the Civil War. This battle pitted two of the most powerful generals of the era, Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, against each other. After nearly two months of fierce fighting, the Union forces were victorious, securing the Mississippi River for the North and helping turn the tide of the war. Here are 15 interesting facts about the Battle of Vicksburg.

Fact 1: It Set the Stage for the Confederate Surrender

The Battle of Vicksburg was the decisive battle of the war. The Confederate forces, led by General Robert E. Lee, had not been defeated in any of their previous engagements. The victory for the Union forces at Vicksburg was a turning point in the war. The battle set the stage for General Lee’s surrender, which ended the Civil War.

Fact 2: It was the Second Bloodiest Battle of the War

The Battle of Vicksburg was the second bloodiest battle of the war, after the Battle of Gettysburg. Over the two month period of the battle, the Union forces lost over 1,800 men and the Confederate forces lost between 4,000 and 5,000 men.

Fact 3: It Was a Siege Battle

The Battle of Vicksburg was a Siege battle. The Union forces, led by General Grant, encircled the Confederate forces, led by General Pemberton, and laid siege to the city. The Union forces effectively isolated the Confederate forces from any possible reinforcements or resources.

Fact 4: The Confederate Forces were Outnumbered

At the start of the battle, the Union forces were outnumbered nearly two-to-one. Despite this, General Grant was able to lead his forces to victory through superior tactics and strategy.

Fact 5: Vicksburg was the Last Confederate Stronghold on the Mississippi River

The Battle of Vicksburg was the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. Its capture by the Union forces was essential for the success of the Union war effort.

Fact 6: The Battle was Fought Over the Course of Two Months

The Battle of Vicksburg raged for two months, from May 18 to July 4. It was the longest single engagement of the entire war.

Fact 7: Pemberton Defied Orders From Richmond

During the course of the battle, General Pemberton, commander of the Confederate forces, defied orders from the Confederate government in Richmond to retreat from Vicksburg. He instead chose to stay and fight, which led to the eventual defeat of his forces.

Fact 8: The Union Forces Employed ‘Rationing’ Tactics

The Union forces developed a strategy of ‘rationing’, where they rationed their supplies, ammunition, and food in order to make them last until the Confederate forces surrendered. This strategy was crucial in ensuring victory for the Union forces.

Fact 9: The Siege Included an Amphibious Attack

The bombardment by the Union forces included an amphibious attack by Admiral David Dixon Porter. Porter’s fleet of gunboats and barges bombarded the Confederate positions from the safety of the Mississippi River.

Fact 10: Consequences for Confederate Civilians

The Union forces imposed a harsh blockade on the city of Vicksburg, which caused great hardships for the civilian population. Food and other supplies were scarce, leading to widespread starvation.

Fact 11: Pemberton Surrendered on July 4th

On July 4, 1863, General Pemberton surrendered his 20,000-man army to General Grant. This was a major victory for the Union forces and a major turning point in the war.

Fact 12: The Confederate Defenses Weakened by Tunneling

The Union forces employed a tactic of tunneling to weaken the Confederate defenses. In order to do this, they dug a network of tunnels beneath the Confederate walls. This enabled them to plant explosives and breach the walls of the city.

Fact 13: Grant Was Promoted to Lieutenant General

The victory at Vicksburg earned General Grant a promotion to the rank of Lieutenant General. This was the first promotion of its kind since George Washington.

Fact 14: Grant Wrote a Formal Surrender Document

After the victory at Vicksburg, General Grant wrote a formal surrender document for General Pemberton, who was reluctant to sign it.

Fact 15: Union Victory Split the Confederacy in Half

The victory at Vicksburg split the Confederacy in two, effectively cutting off the western Confederate states from eastern Confederate states. This contributed to the eventual surrender of the Confederate forces.

Conclusion

The Battle of Vicksburg was a crucial battle in American history, with far-reaching implications. General Grant’s victory was a major turning point in the war and secured the future of the Union. These 15 facts are just a glimpse into the fascinating story of this iconic battle.