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- Oct 17, 2012
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- Middle Tennessee
Saving America’s Civil War Battlefields | Civilwar.org
Vicksburg is the Key
"Vicksburg is the key," said Abraham Lincoln, "the war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket." Vicksburg and its railroad provided a vital link between the two halves of the Confederacy, funneling crucial supplies back and forth from the western Confederacy to the east. General Ulysses S. Grant’s defeat of Confederate General John Pemberton at Vicksburg (May 18 July 4, 1863) stands out as a strategic masterpiece of the Civil War.
After conducting a surprise landing below Vicksburg at Bruinsburg, Mississippi, Grant’s forces moved rapidly inland, pushing back the threat posed by Joseph E. Johnston’s forces near Jackson. Once his rear was clear, Grant set his sights on Vicksburg. The Federals defeated Confederate forces at Champion Hill and Big Black River before assailing the Rebel stronghold at Vicksburg on May 19 and 22. Here, Union soldiers were repulsed with such heavy losses that Grant determined to lay siege to the city. Southern soldiers and civilians alike endured the privations of siege warfare for 47 days before Pemberton surrendered his Pemberton’s forces on July 4, 1863. With the fall of Port Hudson just days later, the Mississippi River was now firmly in Union hands. The Confederacy's fate was all but sealed.
As we remember the momentous events of the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863, please join us in watching the events come alive with our Vicksburg Animated Map.
Vicksburg Campaign: Unvexing the Father of Waters
Follow the events leading to the fall of Vicksburg as Historian Terrence J. Winschel describes the crucial moments of the Vicksburg Campaign in this featured article. Understand why Lincoln said, "Vicksburg is the key!"
Learn More
Federal Naval Operations in the Vicksburg Campaign
On July 4, 1863, General Grant rode victoriously into Vicksburg. In this short video, Historian Terry Winschel describes the important role that the Federal naval forces played in the Vicksburg Campaign.
Watch Video
Support Preservation
Donate
Become a Member
Save A Battlefield
More ways to get involved: Speak Out | Events | Legacy Giving | Campaign 1776
10 Facts about the Vicksburg Campaign
Hundreds of our members have left a gift to the Civil War Trust in their wills and estate plans. This is a hassle-free way to continue your support that won’t affect your lifestyle. these 10 facts about the approach, assault, siege, and surrender.
Vicksburg Battle App
Explore the historic spots, battlefield — from Port Gibson to the Siege of Vicksburg, either on the battlefield, or from your couch. Our GPS-enabled app features onboard historian videos, audio accounts of soldiers from the battle, photos, orders of battle, chronologies, key facts, and more.
Vicksburg is the Key
"Vicksburg is the key," said Abraham Lincoln, "the war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket." Vicksburg and its railroad provided a vital link between the two halves of the Confederacy, funneling crucial supplies back and forth from the western Confederacy to the east. General Ulysses S. Grant’s defeat of Confederate General John Pemberton at Vicksburg (May 18 July 4, 1863) stands out as a strategic masterpiece of the Civil War.
After conducting a surprise landing below Vicksburg at Bruinsburg, Mississippi, Grant’s forces moved rapidly inland, pushing back the threat posed by Joseph E. Johnston’s forces near Jackson. Once his rear was clear, Grant set his sights on Vicksburg. The Federals defeated Confederate forces at Champion Hill and Big Black River before assailing the Rebel stronghold at Vicksburg on May 19 and 22. Here, Union soldiers were repulsed with such heavy losses that Grant determined to lay siege to the city. Southern soldiers and civilians alike endured the privations of siege warfare for 47 days before Pemberton surrendered his Pemberton’s forces on July 4, 1863. With the fall of Port Hudson just days later, the Mississippi River was now firmly in Union hands. The Confederacy's fate was all but sealed.
As we remember the momentous events of the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863, please join us in watching the events come alive with our Vicksburg Animated Map.
Vicksburg Campaign: Unvexing the Father of Waters
Follow the events leading to the fall of Vicksburg as Historian Terrence J. Winschel describes the crucial moments of the Vicksburg Campaign in this featured article. Understand why Lincoln said, "Vicksburg is the key!"
Learn More
Federal Naval Operations in the Vicksburg Campaign
On July 4, 1863, General Grant rode victoriously into Vicksburg. In this short video, Historian Terry Winschel describes the important role that the Federal naval forces played in the Vicksburg Campaign.
Watch Video
Support Preservation
Donate
Become a Member
Save A Battlefield
More ways to get involved: Speak Out | Events | Legacy Giving | Campaign 1776
10 Facts about the Vicksburg Campaign
Hundreds of our members have left a gift to the Civil War Trust in their wills and estate plans. This is a hassle-free way to continue your support that won’t affect your lifestyle. these 10 facts about the approach, assault, siege, and surrender.
Vicksburg Battle App
Explore the historic spots, battlefield — from Port Gibson to the Siege of Vicksburg, either on the battlefield, or from your couch. Our GPS-enabled app features onboard historian videos, audio accounts of soldiers from the battle, photos, orders of battle, chronologies, key facts, and more.