Vicksburg was the last major Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River because of its strategic location, which allowed control over river traffic and supply routes. Its high bluffs provided a defensive advantage, making it difficult for Union forces to capture. The fall of Vicksburg in July 1863 effectively split the Confederacy, giving the Union complete control of the Mississippi River and a critical victory in the Civil War.
It ended the war in the West, enabling Grant to go to the aid of the Army of the Cumberland in Chattanooga. And it liberated the Mississippi, an important military highway which would be at the service of the Union, and all Confederate troops west of the river would be isolated.
The capture of New Orleans was a good start. It was actually the capture of Vicksburg that was the key moment - not a city, but a major river-port.
It closed a major port for the blockade-runners, and diminished Southern control over the Mississippi.
In the West, the Vicksburg campaign, where Grant captured the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi, dividing the Confederacy into two parts, and enabling him to rescue the besieged Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga. (This ended the war in the West). In the East, Lee's spectacular success at Chancellorsville, followed by his historic defeat at Gettysburg, ending his hopes of invading Pennsylvania. By the end of the year, Grant was on course to become General-in-Chief.
On July 4, 1863, the fortress city of Vicksburg, Mississippi finally was captured after a siege by forces under the command of US Grant. The term of "finally" is used inasmuch as Vicksburg had been under attack ever since the fall of New Orleans in 1862. Union forces had tried every way possible to do this. As one example, General Grant even attempted to alter the course of the Mississippi River over a two year period. This almost caused damage to one of Grant's most loyal supporter, General Sherman, whose troops were engaged in endless digging in the bayous and swamps surrounding the city.As it turned out, the capture of Vicksburg gave the Union control of the Mississippi River from St. Louis Missouri to New Orleans, however, truly its only advantage was one of propaganda value to the North. A look at the map shows three Rebel states west of the river, Arkansas, Texas and the western half of Louisiana.The military high command of the Confederacy was not impressed with Vicksburg's military or logistical significance. In the Eastern Theater, General Lee was aware of this and from his point of view, Vicksburg was an obstacle for the Union's commercial traffic. Even Lee was incorrect on this, as Mississippi River commerce in 1860 was never surpassed in the years after the fall of Vicksburg.Confederate generals in the Western Theater, considered Middle Tennessee of much more value than anywhere else within the Rebel west.As for being a conduit of Southern trade, first thought to be West to East trade, there too was an error. The trade actually flowed in the opposite direction.The loss of Vicksburg had already been accounted for, especially once the South's largest city, New Orleans, was lost in April of 1862.Texas had access to Mexico and its own Gulf ports, and Arkansas had access to Texas. And as no major Union operations had even been attempted against Texas, the Mississippi River no military or logistical value whatsoever.As an aside, the siege of Vicksburg brought great pain to the citizens there. Vicksburg did not celebrate the Fourth of July until 1945.
all the others had been destored
Vicksburg was the last major Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi. Its capture by Grant ended the war in the West and divided the Confederacy into two parts.
That was Ulysses Grant, who captured Vicksburg, the last major Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River in July of 1863.
The river-port of Vicksburg - a major Confederate garrison.
Vicksburg. It split the Confederacy in two, isolated the forces to the West of the river, and denied the enemy the use of this important waterway for the movement of men and materials. By ending the war in the Western theatre, it released Grant for important work in Tennessee.===================================================Falling to the Union forces after a 40 day siege, the Confederate defeat at Vicksburg is considered a major turning point in the Western theater of the Civil War. When the Confederate garrison surrendered their fortifications on July 4th, 1863, the Union military gained complete control of the Mississippi River.
By capturing VicksburgBy liberating Vicksburg, the last major Confederate garrison on the river.
Even though it is usually overshadowed by the Battle of Gettysburg, the Siege of Vicksburg is the real turning point of the war.
The fall of Vicksburg on the Mississippi, last major Confederate river-port. This isolated all Confederate units to the West of the river.
By capturing VicksburgBy liberating Vicksburg, the last major Confederate garrison on the river.
Lieutenant General John C Pemberton commanded the Confederate Army of Mississippi at Vicksburg. Major General Ulysses Grant led the Federal Army of the Tennessee.
The Battle of Vicksburg was the last major action of the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. Grant's Union forces drove the Confederate forces into a defense of the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Two major assaults were held off, but the third siege, lasting 10 days, resulted in the Confederate's surrender. This action is considered to be one of the major turning points of the American Civil War.
Ulysses S. Grant was the general who was responsible for taking the Mississippi River. During the Vicksburg Campaign, Grant gained control of the river, a major Confederate defeat. Grant and Confederate Lt. General Pemberton clashed in the Battle of Vicksburg.