Background
The Mississippi River was a key point throughout the American Civil War, and its possession was fought over by the Confederate and Union armies. It was the longest river in North America and offered an invaluable transportation and trade route to both sides. In April, 1862, the Union launched the Capture of Island No.10 as part of their Mississippi River campaign. This campaign was led by Major General Ulysses S. Grant, who was determined to take control of the river and cut off most of Confederate supply lines.
The campaign was successful and the Union soon had complete control of the Mississippi River, with the exception of the port city of Vicksburg. To take Vicksburg, Grant embarked on a series of battles and sieges that culminated in the Siege of Vicksburg in the summer of 1863. After a long and hard-fought campaign, Vicksburg fell to the Union on July 4th, 1863. Grant’s victory at Vicksburg marked a turning point in the American Civil War, and gave the Union whole control of the Mississippi River.
Strategy Used
Grant’s strategy focused on depriving the Confederate supply hubs along the river. He was not interested in space control, instead focusing on cutting off supplies heading to and from Confederate troops. Grant’s strategy relied on reducing the maximum volume of goods that could reach Confederacy soldiers in the field, rather than relying on occupying strategic points such as forts or bridges.
Grant also kept a close eye on the enemy’s movements. He was aware that the Confederate army would want to protect its supply lines, so Grant took the initiative and moved in to pre-empt any of their attempts to launch counter-attacks.
His strategy also included the use of riverboats. Grant planned to use the riverboats to bombard the Confederate troops and instil an overwhelming sense of dread — an effective tactic. Grant knew that the key to success was to gain control of the Mississippi River, and that meant controlling the riverboats and having an efficient means of communicating between the Union soldiers stationed at various points along the river.
Objectives
Grant’s main objective was to gain complete control of the Mississippi River and cripple the Confederacy’s supply lines. With the Mississippi River firmly under Union dominion, the Confederacy would be cut off from traditional supply routes and forced to rely on limited resources. Gaining control of this important river was essential for the Union’s success.
Grant also had smaller objectives. For instance, he wanted to prevent enemy reinforcements from reaching critical areas. He also wanted to frighten Confederate forces by bombarding their troops with riverboats. By instilling fear in the Confederacy, Grant hoped to decrease the number of casualties on both sides.
The Unconventional Approach
Grant employed an unconventional approach when it came to taking control of the Mississippi River. His strategy was to attack the Confederacy by denying them resources, rather than focusing on territorial control. Grant had the foresight to understand that gaining control of the river could lead to the ultimate victory in the war, and he was determined to take advantage of this opportunity.
He was also willing to take risks and use unorthodox tactics such as bombarding Confederate troops with riverboats in order to achieve his goals. His strategy was to use the riverboats to bomb their forces and instill a sense of terror in their ranks. Grant was willing to break with the traditional understanding of war and use his own methods to gain the upper hand.
Results
Grant’s strategy ultimately paid off, and the Union had complete control of the Mississippi River by the summer of 1863. With this achievement, the Confederacy was effectively cut off from supplies flowing from the west, and their armies were weakened as a result. The Union was also now able to communicate more efficiently between their forces at different strategic points along the river.
The Capture of the Mississippi River was a crucial moment in the Civil War, and proved to be a major turning point for the Union forces. Grant’s unconventional approach and effective strategy allowed them to gain the upper-hand in the war and ultimately win the conflict.
Union Reimbursement
The Union’s victory at the Capture of the Mississippi River was not without costs. The financial costs of the campaign were immense, and the Union was eager to recuperate these losses. In order to do so, the government instituted a plethora of taxes and tariffs on goods produced in the Confederacy. These measures were intentionally designed to limit the Confederacy’s income and eventually punish them for rebelling against the Union forces.
These measures had the desired effect and allowed the Union to recoup some of their financial losses from the war. Nevertheless, these measures also served to instil resentment among the people of the Confederacy, as they were seen as punishing a defeated people.
Legacy
The success of Grant’s Capture of the Mississippi River is the stuff of legends, and his tactics and strategies are remembered by Civil War historians around the world. His unorthodox approach and determination to win despite all odds, inspired future military leaders and will continue to live on in military history for years to come.
The strategic victory of the Capture of Island No.10 also has more practical implications. It is known as the first major victory of the Union forces and as such, it sowed the seeds of doubt and fear in the ranks of the Confederacy. This ultimately led to their downfall and the final victory of the Union.
Memorial
The Capture of the Mississippi River is remembered as a pivotal moment in American history, and as such, it has been immortalized in many different forms. To commemorate the victory, a memorial was erected in Vicksburg, Mississippi to commemorate Grant’s victory. The memorial was dedicated in 1885 and stands as a testament to Grant’s achievement and the decisive victory of the Union forces.
Other memorials have been erected in different places along the Mississippi River to commemorate the fierce struggle between the Confederate and Union forces. The memorials stand as a reminder of the bravery, determination and strategy employed by Grant and are visited by historians and tourists alike.
Conclusion
General Grant’s capture of the Mississippi River was a crucial moment in the American Civil War, and proved to be a major turning point for the Union forces. His unconventional approach and effective strategy allowed them to gain the upper hand and ultimately win the conflict. The victory has been immortalized in many different memorials and will continue to be remembered for years to come.
