ipl-logo

Battle Of Vicksburg Essay

1037 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Topics of battle of vicksburg

The Siege of Vicksburg refers to the year long campaign to determine who maintained the city of Vicksburg that took place with the Civil War which were crucial to who claimed victory in the war. The fighting was due to the Union and Confederacy wanting to claim the Mississippi River since it would prove to be a valuable asset to whoever controlled it. This was due to the fact that it would be easy to carry weapons, supplies, and even troops themselves to dozens of locations in American territory since the Mississippi and its tributaries ran through a million plus square miles in the U.S. But the town of Vicksburg itself was also a desirable asset to obtain because when the war started it was the second largest town in Mississippi and a large …show more content…

Meanwhile General Earl Van Dorn, also of the Confederate army, was able to capture a very important Union supply base at Holly springs. This ensured that Grant had no other option but to withdraw his attack from Vicksburg as he and his men couldn’t be supported without proper supplies. Sherman decided to try and attack Vicksburg without the reinforcements of Grant’s men, but also ended up withdrawing within a couple days. After Grant’s initial attempt to capture Vicksburg, Grant tried again in December to gain control of Vicksburg, but due to the large numbers of Confederate soldiers. The Confederates wanted to keep a tight hold of Vicksburg for the same reasons as the Union plus the fact that it was their last position being held inside Mississippi. After Grant’s failed attempts of capturing the town of Vicksburg, “Grant ordered canals built to bypass the bluff, but those attempts failed.” Since Grant couldn’t just rush the town and attack it directly, he tried to find other ways to get Union soldiers inside. He also enlisted help from their naval forces and moved all his forces South of Vicksburg. After the capture of two other Mississippi towns Port Gibson and Grand Gulf and the Battle of Champion’s Hill, the Union had a little …show more content…

This was all crucial to outcome of the overall war since Vicksburg was just the first victory of many for the North. The balance quickly shifted in favor of the Union and allowed them to secure victory which impacted the nation in many different ways. But there were direct effects of the victory at Vicksburg, like the strategy that Grant used of dividing and conquering which then became a popular military strategy. He also proved that the canals he tried to use were an inefficient means of attempting to gain an advantage over the Confederates. The end of the Civil War redefined the reality of the United States and ensured that it was seen as one indivisible nation, rather than separate states. The thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments were also passed after the end of the Civil War and abolished slavery, but this was all possible due to the first victory at Vicksburg. This battle and all the events that led up to it imposed monumental change in the United

Show More
Related
392 Words | 2 Pages

Brandon Beck 's Holly Springs: Van Dorn, the CSS Arkansas and the Raid That Saved Vicksburg is a very short account of the roles played in the defense of Vicksburg by the Confederate ironclad CSS ARKANSAS and Major General Earl Van Dorn 's cavalry raid on Grant 's supply base at Holly Springs, Mississippi. The combination of these actions thwarted the second campaign against Vicksburg. The U.S. Navy considered the threat of CSS ARKANSAS as a serious one, but in fact, the ironclad was handicapped by such poor engines, her career as a warship lasted less than a month. She destroyed no Union vessels before being blown up by her own crew.

Read More
1475 Words | 6 Pages

Confederate A. P. Hill and D. H. Hill’s division crossed the river and attacked Porter’s men despite Jackson’s absence, as he was further delayed. Their division had little effect on Porter’s army, who resisted the Confederacy quite easily. However, Jackson and his army finally arrived on Porter’s flank, and although Jackson was much too late, his arrival managed to intimidate Porter’s forces, which believed the protection of the supply line was priority. McClellan once again hesitated to make an attack on the south of the Chickahominy River, despite outnumbering Lee’s troops. Instead, McClellan ordered for Porter to hold Boatswain’s Swamp, as McClellan would retreat to James River.

Read More
615 Words | 3 Pages

As the Union claimed Vicksburg, the river came along with it. Vicksburg was important to the South (Confederates), communication lines and supplies ran through it. To close, the first way that the Battle of

Read More
1137 Words | 5 Pages

But they were met only by a deadly volley of rifle fire. At this point the Confederate Colors fell many of times. Finally realizing they could no longer hold their position the Confederates fell back crossing the bridge trying to still defend their position and losing many Confederate soldiers. They were order to retreat to Honey Springs were they held their

Read More
1014 Words | 5 Pages

As stated by Current, "The Union army captured key Confederate strongholds, such as Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and New Orleans, which gave it control over important waterways and weakened the Confederacy's ability to wage war. " Current gave a lot of

Read More
266 Words | 2 Pages

The union were able to attack Lees center multiple times but McClellan let the rebels retreat and regroup. Which let the battle carry on longer than needed. Then the union decided to attack Jackson(left flank) which was located at dunkers church, and were able to push Jackson out. Then the union had to get across the river to be able to attack and push back the confederates line. The union tried

Read More
500 Words | 2 Pages

The Battle of Vicksburg was key to Union Victory because it took away Confederate control of the Mississippi River. Because the Confederacy controlled the mouth of the Mississippi River, it was impossible for the goods and agricultural products of the Ohio River Valley and the Upper Mississippi River Valley to get to market because the Midwestern U.S. still depended

Read More
430 Words | 2 Pages

It also gave the Union control of the Mississippi River. The Battle of Vicksburg was one of the most important Battles of the Civil War, and it helped speed up the end of the long fought war. It also let the north go into the deep south so they could eradicate the “Rebels”. It split the Confederacy in half. It made it easier to defeat the “Rebels” when they were not able to communicate with their other half.

Read More
569 Words | 3 Pages

This showed in his takeover of the Mississippi Valley. During his process to obtain the Mississippi Valley, he gained Fort Henry and fought for Fort Donelson. Soon, the Confederates surrendered and asked for the terms. Grant proposed no compromises. He would only accept complete surrender with no conditions.

Read More
411 Words | 2 Pages

Even though the Confederate army was outnumbered, they were smart and great at defending Vicksburg. In April 1863, Grant made a smart move when he made a surprise landing at Bruinsburg with the Union troops. Then they moved quickly up and pushed back Joseph E. Johnson and his troops who were near Jackson. When Grant was done there, he set his eyes right back at Vicksburg.

Read More
589 Words | 3 Pages

While the other part of his army would take on longstreet at marye's heights. the union's army main attack was a success, but the counter attack of Jackson’s lead in the end to have a total of 9,000 either dead missing or wounded. This didn't change anything for their strategy. While that was happening Burnside's taking on the confederate soldiers as they were behind a stone wall, but the confederate soldiers were too strong for the federal soldiers trying to attack but with all their rifle and artillery there was no match to their impenetrable spot. a quote from Edward Porter Alexander’s states that “a chicken could not live on that

Read More
1664 Words | 7 Pages

Previous, direct attempts to take this important town high above the Mississippi River were blocked by deft rebel counter moves and some of the most pernicious terrain in the entire Western theater. In late April 1863, Grant undertook a new and bold campaign against Vicksburg and the

Read More
1095 Words | 5 Pages

Around April 27th, a few days before the battle, Robert E. Lee had made the decision to steer the location of the battle into the Wilderness by using his regiments to bait the Union army into following his army into the Wilderness. The woody and rough terrain would diminish the Union advantage of large numbers and suit the Confederates more because they would also have homeground advantage and would be able to navigate the Wilderness. The Orange Turnpike and Plank Roads were used by both armies to transport soldiers by way of the road. General Stonewall Jackson turned on the Orange Turnpike Road while marching on his flank attack on General Howard’s XI Corps because the roads provided an easy way and path to march. The Union army had an initial geographical advantage but it was lost to the Confederate army and it helped the Confederates win the Battle of

Read More
834 Words | 4 Pages

After battles, it was difficult for the Army of Northern Virginia to replace its men. In what had been known as Lee’s finest battle, his army was outnumbered by the Army of Potomac, but still managed to defeat them at the battle of Chancellorsville. Though Lee’s army won, they still suffered a major setback when one of Lee’s Generals died. Winning did not matter for the Confederates because they were still losing numbers, which at this time, they couldn’t afford to do. Ulysses S. Grant and The Union was aware of this weakness and they used it to their advantage.

Read More
441 Words | 2 Pages

The Battle of Saratoga in September and October of 1777 is the turning point of the Revolutionary War because the French joined with allies, British troops surrendered their arms, and the Patriots had crucial victories. It was a victory for the Patriots in the American Revolution and is the most decisive battles in history. The Battle began as a plan by the British to control New York and isolate New England from the Southern colonies and put an end to the Revolution. Which ended as an opportunity for the Patriots.

Read More

More about Battle Of Vicksburg Essay

Related Topics

Open Document