The Siege of Vicksburg

Dec 18

2 min read

Are you a student learning about the Civil War? Are you a teacher preparing to teach about the Civil War? This website is for both of you! It will even be helpful if you are just curious about the Civil War.

If you are a student, you can read about the Siege of Vicksburg in the sections below. If you have questions as you read, you can send me a message, and I will do my best to get back to you.

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Siege of Vicksburg reading passage for your Civil War unit

The Siege of Vicksburg

May 18 - July 4, 1863

By the spring of 1863, the Union had captured most of the towns along the Mississippi River. However, Vicksburg, a virtual fortress on a hill, remained in Southern control. This both prevented Union troops from traveling the entire length of the river and allowed Confederate troops and supplies to move freely from east to west. The natural defenses of Vicksburg made it almost impossible for Union troops to take the city. Union General Ulysses S. Grant tried to attack the city several times, but every time his troops were soundly defeated by the Confederates, mostly because the city was located on a tall bluff and surrounded by swamps.

Realizing he wouldn’t be able to take the city by force, Grant instead secretly moved his troops into position and began a siege of the city. The Union forces blocked all entrances and exits to the city so no people or supplies could move in or out of Vicksburg. Grant also shelled the city every day. The people within the city had to move to the nearby caves for protection. As food ran out, they began eating horses, dogs, and even rats. By July, the people of Vicksburg could take it no longer. On July 4, 1863, the city, including around 29,500 Confederate soldiers, officially surrendered. The North now controlled the entire Mississippi River, and the Confederacy was cut in half. The capture of Vicksburg made it possible for the North to eventually win the Civil War.

Want to learn more about the Civil War? Check out the links below!