The Vicksburg Campaign, March 29–May 18, 1863 (Civil War Campaigns in the West)

Ulysses S. GrantOCOs ingenious campaign to capture the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River was one of the most decisive events of the Civil War and one of the most storied military expeditions in American history. The ultimate victory at Vicksburg effectively cut the Confederacy in two, gave control of the river to Union forces, and delivered a devastating blow from which the South never fully recovered. Editors Steven E. Woodworth and Charles D. Grear have assembled essays by prominent and emerging scholars, who contribute astute analysis of this famous campaignOCOs most crucial elements and colorful personalities. Encompassed in this first of five planned volumes on the Vicksburg campaign are examinations of the pivotal events that comprised the campaignOCOs maneuver stage, from March to May of 1863. The collection sheds new light on GrantOCOs formidable intelligence network of former slaves, Mississippi loyalists, and Union spies; his now legendary operations to deceive and confuse his Confederate counterparts; and his maneuvers from the perspective of classic warfare. Also presented are insightful accounts of GrantOCOs contentious relationship with John A. McClernand during the campaign; interactions between hostile Confederate civilians and Union army troops; and the planning behind such battles as GriersonOCOs Raid, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, and Big Black River Bridge. Running The Gauntlet: The Effectiveness Of Combined Forces In The Vicksburg Campaign / Gary D. Joiner -- Through The Heart Of Rebel Country: The History And Memory Of Grierson's Raid / Charles D. Grear -- In The Enemy's Country: Port Gibson And The Turning Point Of The Vicksburg Campaign / Jason M. Frawley -- Roads To Raymond / J. Parker Hills -- The First Capture And Occupation Of Jackson, Mississippi / Steven E. Woodworth -- I Am Too Late: Joseph E. Johnston And The Vicksburg Campaign / John R. Lundberg -- Grant, Mcclernand, And Vicksburg: A Clash Of Personalities And Backgrounds / Michael B. Ballard -- Developed By Circumstances: Grant, Intelligence, And The Vicksburg Campaign / William B. Feis -- A Victory Could Hardly Have Been More Complete: The Battle Of Big Black River Bridge / Timothy B. Smith -- The Stealing Tour: Soldiers And Civilians In Grant's March To Vicksburg / Steven Nathaniel Dossman -- Politics, Policy, And General Grant: Clausewitz On The Operational Art As Practiced In The Vicksburg Campaign / Paul L. Schmelzer. Edited By Steven E. Woodworth And Charles D. Grear. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Mode Of Access: World Wide Web.