Thesis Statement: The Battle of Vicksburg was a very significant of the Civil War. The city was considered an essential asset for the Union to regain control of the Mississippi River and in all reality split the confederacy in two. I think that Ulysses S. Grant made a few key tactical decisions, which ultimately helped the Union achieve its goal. I. Assault by land A. After many failed direct assaults Grant conducted a surprise landing in Bruinsburg and then ordered his troops to march toward Vicksburg by land. 1. This gave him the element of surprise, which is a great advantage when you are trying to capture a fortified position. . For this to be successful he would have to push forces led by Joseph E. Johnston back and move back towards Vicksburg from the east. II. Combining forces A. Grant combined his forces into a series of corps lead by various generals and began to move toward Vicksburg. 1. Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks began his maneuvering along the Red River in Louisiana.
2. On the 29th and 30th McClernand’s and McPherson’s men, at Milliken’s Bend and Lake Providence, northwest of Vicksburg, began working their way south, building a military road to New Carthage, La. preparatory to a move south to Hard Times, La. , a village opposite Bruinsburg, Miss. III. Amphibious Support A. Grant kept six mortars on the city at all time as well as sending 3 gunboats to shell it from the river. 1. Not only did this do significant damage to the fortification it also kept them from receiving supplies as well. a. Along with starvation, disease began to spread throughout the city, which greatly decreased the number of men able to fight. IV. Trench Digging A. Grant had his men digging trenches towards Vicksburg to help dissipate some of the enemy fire.
The most successful approach was known as “ Logan’s Approach”, which was along Jackson road and was a trench that was seven feet deep and eight feet wide. 2. After setting off a mine and blowing a huge crater in the fortification. Grant sent regiment after into the crater but the confederacy eventually sealed it up. V. Siege instead of direct assault A. Near the end of the campaign Grant was no longer willing to sacrifice any more lives so instead of a direct assault he organized a bunch of siege missions.
