At the beginning of the war, the answer would be New Orleans.
After that fell, St. Louis and Memphis were both significant pressure-points.
Finally, the river-port of Vicksburg became the last Confederate stronghold on the river. For this reason, Jefferson Davis urged the garrison commander, Pemberton, to hold it at any cost, while the area commander Joe Johnston was urging Pemberton to evacuate the place and save his army.
U.S. Grant was able to exploit this confusion, and he took the surrender of Vicksburg on the Fourth of July 1863.
The City of Vicksburg, Mississippi was founded along the banks of the Mississippi River in 1611. It later was heavily involved in the US Civil War as a state within the Confederacy.
The city was at the mouth of the Mississippi River, and was thus able to control traffic up and down the river.
The Battle of Vicksburg. This Confederate city was the last impediment to the Union's control of the Mississippi River, and it was under siege for nine months before falling to the Union Army and Navy.
Control of New Orleans meant control of the Mississippi River and therefore control of the hear land of North America. Jefferson would want to have more power within having New Orleans in his hands to Mississippi River as well.
The capital of Louisiana is Baton Rouge, and it is located on the Mississippi River.
Vicksburg
vicksburg
The Siege and Capture of Vicksburg gave the Union control of the Mississippi River, splitting the Confederacy in two.
New Orleans
The fall of Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 4, 1863 gave the Union full control of the river from its source to its mouth.
vicksburg!
The City of Vicksburg, Mississippi was founded along the banks of the Mississippi River in 1611. It later was heavily involved in the US Civil War as a state within the Confederacy.
There is a city along the Mississippi River in Mississippi, just across the river from Louisiana, which became famous during America's Civil War. But there's also a "Vicksburg, Michigan".
There is a city along the Mississippi River in Mississippi, just across the river from Louisiana, which became famous during America's Civil War. But there's also a "Vicksburg, Michigan".
Springfield is the capital city in Missouri. It is located west of the Mississippi River.
The Mississpi River starts in Mississippi.
Oaklahoma City is west of the Mississippi River.