Vicksburg: The Campaign That Opened the Mississippi (Civil War America)

When Confederate troops surrendered Vicksburg on July 4, 1863--the day after the Union victory at Gettysburg--a crucial port and rail depot for the South was lost. The Union gained control of the Mississippi River, and the Confederate territory was split in two. In a thorough yet concise study of the longest single military campaign of the Civil War, Michael B. Ballard brings new depth to our understanding of the Vicksburg campaign by considering its human as well as its military aspects. Ballard examines soldier attitudes, guerrilla warfare, and the effects of the campaign and siege on civilians in and around Vicksburg. He also analyzes the leadership and interaction of such key figures as U.S. Grant, William T. Sherman, John Pemberton, and Joseph E. Johnston, among others. Blending strategy and tactics with the human element, Ballard reminds us that while Gettysburg has become the focal point of the history and memory of the Civil War, the outcome at Vicksburg was met with as much celebration and relief in the North as was the Gettysburg victory, and he argues that it should be viewed as equally important today. When Confederate Troops Surrendered Vicksburg On July 4, 1863 (the Day After The Union Victory At Gettysburg), A Crucial Port And Rail Depot For The South Was Lost. The Union Gained Control Of The Mississippi River, And The Confederate Territory Was Split In Two. In A Thorough Yet Concise Study Of The Longest Single Military Campaign Of The Civil War, Michael B. Ballard Brings New Depth To Our Understanding Of The Vicksburg Campaign By Considering Its Human As Well As Its Military Aspects. Ballard Examines Soldier Attitudes, Guerrilla Warfare, And The Effects Of The Campaign And Siege On Civilians In And Around Vicksburg. He Also Analyzes The Leadership And Interaction Of Such Key Figures As U.s. Grant, William T. Sherman, John Pemberton, And Joseph E. Johnston, Among Others. Blending Strategy And Tactics With The Human Element, Ballard Reminds Us That While Gettysburg Has Become The Focal Point Of The History And Memory Of The Civil War, The Outcome At Vicksburg Was Met With As Much Celebration And Relief In The North As The Gettysburg Victory, And It Should Be Viewed As Equally Important Today.--jacket. A Town, A River, And War -- Summer Stalemate -- Counterstrokes And Controversies -- Race To Vicksburg -- Bloody Bayou And The Wild Goose -- Disputes, Diversions, Failures -- Turning Point -- Port Gibson -- Raymond And Jackson -- Champion Hill And The Big Black -- Assaulting Vicksburg -- Siege Operations -- Surrender And Second Jackson -- Aftermath And Legacies. Michael B. Ballard. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [467]-480) And Index. Contents......Page 8 List of Maps......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 1 A Town, a River, and War......Page 20 2 Summer Stalemate......Page 50 3 Counterstrokes and Controversies......Page 82 4 Race to Vicksburg......Page 120 5 Bloody Bayou and the Wild Goose......Page 148 6 Disputes, Diversions, Failures......Page 175 7 Turning Point......Page 210 8 Port Gibson......Page 240 9 Raymond and Jackson......Page 270 10 Champion Hill and the Big Black......Page 301 11 Assaulting Vicksburg......Page 338 12 Siege Operations......Page 377 13 Surrender and Second Jackson......Page 415 14 Aftermath and Legacies......Page 433 Notes......Page 452 Bibliography......Page 486 B......Page 500 D......Page 501 G......Page 502 H......Page 503 L......Page 504 O......Page 505 R......Page 506 S......Page 507 V......Page 508 Y......Page 509 Illustrations......Page 112 Michael Ballard provides a concise yet thorough study of the 1863 battle that cut off a crucial river port and rail depot for the South and split the Confederate nation, providing a turning point in the Civil War. The Union victory at Vicksburg was hailed with as much celebration in the North as the Gettysburg victory and Ballard makes a convincing case that it was equally important to the ultimate resolution of the conflict.

In a thorough yet concise study of the longest single military campaign of the Civil War, Michael B. Ballard brings depth to our understanding of the Vicksburg campaign by considering its human as well as its military aspects. He examines soldier attitudes, guerrilla warfare, and the effects of the campaign on civilians in and around Vicksburg While the United States was still a young republic, pioneers moving west noticed attractive land sitting on high bluffs above a sharp hairpin turn in the Mississippi River.