VICKSBURG

CAMPAIGN
Presented by Bolilan, Meryl Rose U.
Section Acc1A
 VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN
• The Vicksburg Campaign began in 1862 and ended with the Confederate
surrender on July 4, 1863.
• The Battle of Vicksburg was a decisive Union victory during the American Civil
War that divided the Confederacy and cemented the reputation of Union General
Ulysses S. Grant. Union forces waged a campaign to take the Confederate
stronghold of Vicksburg, Mississippi, which lay halfway between Memphis to
the north and New Orleans to the south. The 47-day Siege of Vicksburg
eventually gave control of the Mississippi River—a critical supply line—to the
Union, and was part of the Union’s successful Anaconda Plan to cut off all trade
to the Confederacy.
 What were the
goals of the
Vicksburg Campaign?
ULYSSES S. GRANT

The goal of Ulysses S. Grant, the

commander of the union army was to
take this Southern stronghold
(Vicksburg) that would allow the Union
to control the Mississippi River and
boost Northern morale.
 JOHN C. PEMBERTON

The goal of John C. Pemberton,

commander of the confederacy. was to
prevent the Union army from gaining
control of the Mississippi River, which
was a vital transportation and supply
route for both the North and the South.
 What military strategy was
employed to achieve these goals?
 ANACONDA PLAN

• Looking for a quick victory and not wanting to give Pemberton time to settle his garrison, Grant
orders an immediate assault. Of his three corps, only Maj. Gen William T. Sherman’s Fifteenth
Corps, stationed northeast of the city, is in a position to attack.
• Grant conceived a bold new plan: By marching his Army of the Tennessee down the Mississippi
River on its western bank, he could cross the river and approach Vicksburg from the south, giving
his troops a more favorable position. The most famous plan developed in 1861 was General
Winfield Scott's "Anaconda Plan" that called for a blockade of the South, followed by seizing
control of the Mississippi River to split the Confederacy. Grant, supported by Major General
William T. Sherman, worked his siege strategy using troops on land and gunboats. He used frontal
assaults, artillery bombardments, and even dug under the Confederate earthworks to place
explosives.
 DEVIDE AND CONQUER

• Pemberton recognized the strategic importance of Vicksburg, which was

located on high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. He ordered his
troops to construct a series of defensive fortifications around the city,
including trenches, earthen embankments, and artillery batteries, to make it
difficult for Union forces to capture the city.
Was the strategy successful?
Why or why not?
 FORCES ENGAGED

33,000
CONFEDERATE
FORCES

77,000
UNION FORCES
 ESTIMATED CASUALTIES

32,363
CONFEDERATE
FORCES

4,910
UNION FORCES
 CONFEDERATES

• The Confederate strategy, on the other hand, was not

successful in the Vicksburg Campaign. Confederate
General John C. Pemberton made several strategic
errors, such as dividing his forces to defend against the
Union attacks from both the north and south. The
Confederates were also unable to break the Union
siege of Vicksburg, and their supplies and morale
dwindled over time.
 UNION

• The Union strategy in the Vicksburg Campaign proved

successful, while the Confederate strategy was not able
to prevent the Union from gaining control of the
Mississippi River. However, it is important to note that
the campaign was a hard-fought and costly battle for
both sides, with significant casualties on both sides and
many challenges to overcome.
 What could have been done
differently to improve the outcome of
the campaign or conflict?
 COORDINATION

General Grant's forces were divided into several different

groups, with some attacking Vicksburg from the south while
others attacked from the north. There was little
communication between these groups, which made it
difficult to coordinate their efforts. If there had been better
coordination, the campaign may have been more successful.
 INTELLIGENCE

• The Confederate forces at Vicksburg were able to

anticipate many of the Union's movements and
prepare for them. If the Union had better intelligence
gathering, they may have been able to surprise the
Confederates and take control of the city more
quickly.
 A WARM
THANK YOU
TO ALL OF YOU!