This week, Week 2 of my Civil War research, I decided to focus on another one of the more famous and aptly labeled battles of the war: Vicksburg. Many people claim this this to be the most important battle of the Civil War, but is that so?
The article I read, "Siege of Vicksburg, 19 May-4 July 1863" by J. Rickard, begins with a short description of the Mississippi River and tells of its importance to the country. The author labels it as the, "most important commercial artery in the United States," and shows it to be a crucial part of the strategy of both the Northern and Southern armies in the 1860's. He also says that the town of Vicksburg, MS, was one of the last strongholds on the river, so no wonder it was a target for the Union forces. This article goes on to describe how Grant and the Union forces surrounded much of Vicksburg and other MS River forts and ports in the area, and also how Grant carried out the siege of the city. The siege ultimately worked; the people and forces in Vicksburg had to surrender at last after the terrible month of attack on the area. Rickard went on to explain again the importance of this gain for the Union, and the debilitating nature of the loss of Vicksburg, and the MS River, to the Confederacy. He gives all reasons for the battle and siege to be some of the most important turning points in the war.
I agree with Rickard on many points. The most important aspect, I think, of the Union army's win and capture of Vicksburg was their gaining the Mississippi River. It was so important for the Confederate war effort and Southern life in general (trade and transport, etc.), so the loss of it was critical. The MS River turning from Gray to Blue also cut the Confederacy in pieces, as Rickard said. Vicksburg was the last main grab in the Union's "Anaconda Plan", their land strategy to cut the South in 3 and completely immobilize it. The loss of the Mississippi was an isolating blow that the South could not afford. The siege and loss of Vicksburg was also a blow to Confederate moral. The city and citizens within it were basically destroyed while the siege and battle were going on. After the surrender in early July, some of the almost 30,000 soldiers who were defeated and discharged from the army (part of the surrender terms put forth by Grant) had to wander around what was left of the South in their dejected shame. How bad would be if you are taking your laundry off the line in you backyard (that has been burnt up by a recently raging battle) and a group of homeless soldiers walks past on the side of the road with a month's worth of bad news to tell you about. The battle moral of the Confederates was way down after this huge loss of momentum, and the hope for success all over the South was also.
Vicksburg was a hit to the Confederacy's chances and a big turning point for Union momentum. They got the push they needed to succeed in their future endeavors, and also completed one of their initial goals to separate the South's strengths. Vicksburg was such a strategic win for the Union and the Confederacy just couldn't recover. Rickard has it right when he says that Vicksburg was an essential effort in the Civil War. Was it the most important? I don't think so, but was it far-reaching and consequential, most definitely.
Article: Rickard, J. "Siege of Vicksburg, 19 May-4July 1863." Military History Encyclopedia Online. History of War, 18 Nov. 2006. Web. 31 Mar. 2010.
Lowery McNeal
