The Union’s Control
During the American Civil War, the Union Army was determined to maintain control and dominance over the entire Mississippi River. A goal that, if achieved, would give uniform control of the Upper, Middle and Lower regions of the river. Ultimately their objective was to maintain the flow of troops, boats, and supplies through the river.
Carefully and strategically, the Union Army targeted cities and military posts in the Mississippi Valley and employed a vast number of soldiers to occupy the Upper and Middle states which caused a disruption to the Confederacy’s requirement of a free river by making it uncontrollable.
Also, Union forces cleverly seized the highly sought-after Mississippi River Expressway which advanced the transportation and implementation of supplies, strategies and Union forces. Control of the Expressway was crucial as it enabled the Union Army’s movement of Union occupation and their powerful presence.
In the Lower states, military service members of the United States Navy and fleets of ships were stationed at strategic points, causing further interruption and dominion over the Mississippi River.
Unsurprisingly, all of the activities towards Union control were not warmly welcomed with the Confederacy and sparks of division between the Union forces and those geographically close generated tensions within the states.
However, despite the Confederate’s attempts to put an end and remove the Union’s occupation of the United States, their objective whereby the river had to be open for communication and transportation of troops, ships, and equipment was unsuccessful as the Mississippi Valley was firmly under Union control.
Traditionally, the Confederacy’s success and reign heavily relied upon the powerful Mississippi River and its access to trade, moreover, its influence during battles and wars by providing a sense of direction was unwavering.
The Comprehensive Suppression of Confederate Trade
The Union Army used the Mississippi River to their advantage by completely suppressing and cutting off Confederate trade while they maintained the movement of their own supplies. As a result, the Confederacy became economically weakened, hassling the Confederacy further.
Furthermore, the Union Army’s drive to monopolise Mississippi River enabled Union forces to move from various locations and link up, causing further disruption and chaos for the Confederates.
Fascinatingly, the Union Army perfected the art of guerilla warfare by giving themselves the advantage of emerging from places unknown for periods unknown – an idea which was highly efficient and effective for Confederate suppression.
It became clear that the Union Army were devoted to maintaining the Mississippi River under their power, ensuring that the Confederates could not access the most valuable and fundamental resource they had available.
In addition to that, the Union Army strategically built its military collection of supplies and resources to harmoniously move up and down the river so that they could maintain a secure flow of supplies – a practice which was commonly known to be used by the Confederacy.
Accounts from the Civil War state that, for the first time ever, Union soldiers and fleets of ships attempted to conquer and take advantage of the valuable river – an act which deeply weakened the Confederacy as owning and using the Mississippi River was one of their principal foundations.
Confederate Interference
Not surprisingly, the Confederates became even more desperate to gain control of the Mississippi River and so devised a plan of action to fight the Union Army.
Firstly, Confederate forces fought vigorously to guard positions along the Mississippi River to defeat any attempt by Union forces to access the area. As a result, thousands of casualties occurred throughout the war as the Confederates took any measures they could to prevent the Union Army’s domination and control of the river.
In addition to this, when the Union Army seized strong posts and locations, Confederates were often found retaliating with sorties and minor battles in an attempt to displace the Union forces.
However, although the Confederates tried to keep the Union Army away from the river, the Union military would often attack towns with significant resources such as wood, livestock, and crops to inhibit Confederate reinforcements and provisions.
No matter what, the Union Army was still highly determined to control both ends of the river, no matter the cost, and although Confederate forces fought hard and made extreme efforts to reduce and subsequently cut off Union control, those efforts ultimately failed.
Furthermore, the Union’s conquest of the Mississippi River proved to be invaluable as this strategically placed their armed forces in the most beneficial position to take full advantage and benefit from the river’s power and invaluable resources to succeed and dominate the whole of the Mississippi River.
Union Strategies and Tactics
The Union forces developed numerous tactics, of which one of the most effective and successful was ‘Anaconda Plan’ which aimed to re-establish the Union, seize the Confederate-proportioned states, weaken the Confederacy and gain complete control and domination of the Mississippi River.
The strategy intended to choke the Confederacy’s production and transportation of supplies and equipment by using the Mississippi River as a powerful tool and powerbase.
The Confederates needed the Mississippi to keep the Union’s military forces away but with Union forces surrounding the river like a strong, impenetrable bulwark, their plans were frustrated and they were unable to invade the Union forces.
In addition to this, as Union forces commanded nearly every inch of the Mississippi River, the Union Army was able to send supplies and troops back and forth from the size of the river to support the Union cause.
Of course, the Union forces often experienced resistance from the Confederacy’s forces and this often caused casualties, however the Union’s occupation of the Mississippi River was resolute and unshakeable.
Union’s Battle Advantage
The Union’s domination of the entire Mississippi River enabled them to gain a strong battle advantage against the Confederacy as they were able to move and transport Reinforcements and supplies to a wide variety of places located around the Mississippi River.
As Union forces increased in size and presence, further resources and supplies were needed to keep them afloat and operational, meaning their existence and occupation became harder to resist by Confederate forces.
In addition to that, through the Union’s military stronghold on the Upper and Lower parts of the Mississippi River, they were able to monitor and control the flow of information and shipments between east and west, aiding in their victory.
Unsurprisingly, the Union Army’s success and domination of the Mississippi River gave them a feeling of confidence and morale which had began to weaken on the Confederate side.
Nevertheless, the Union’s power and strength over the Mississippi River emboldened their army and provided them with an advantage which was virtually unbreakable.
The Effect on later Civil War Battles
It became clear that the Union had a firm and secure grip on the Mississippi River and its access to the southern states allowed them to gain a strategic advantage which provided further importance to Union victories.
Of course, the Confederacy remained committed to regaining control of the river, however as the Union advanced in their domination and ownership of the Mississippi, they also grew in power, strength and domination.
The Union’s use of the river to transport supplies, troops and instruments of war, made it harder for the Confederate to move forward as defense was more difficult for them as the Union’s powerful presence increased. As a result, the Confederacy was earlier in the war inevitably weakened by the Union’s fortified hold over the waterways of the Mississippi.
As a result of their domination and connection of the Extremities of the Mississippi River, the Union Army was able to send supplies and resources to different parts of the river which enabled them to remain stationed and active in the war.
So, it wasn’t a surprise to see the Union being able to successfully gain control of both ends of the Mississippi River and use it to their advantage as ultimately, the plan paid off.
Mississippi Before and After the Civil War
Before the Civil War, the Mississippi River was a key factor in the transportation of supplies and manpower from east to west. It was known to be the nation’s most important commercial river, and despite countless battles, the river was still regularly used for shipping, transportation, and commerce.
However, as the Civil War progressed, the Union’s central control over the Mississippi began to fracture the demand and supply chain as the production of resources and transport of supplies became increasingly harder for the Confederacy.
Weakened and unable to continue the war, the Confederacy ultimately lost the battle to the Union who had owned and taken full uncensored advantage and control of the Mississippi River.
Now, the Mississippi River plays an integral role in the US economy, providing essential trade routes and vital waterways for industry and local commerce.
Throughout the years, the intensive Union occupation and control of both North and South ends of the river have remained strong and continued to grow, which has provided the United States with a vital, long lasting resource.
