The Mississippi River has been a critical force in the advancement of settlement during the colonial period and well into the 19th and 20th centuries.The city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, has a unique history tied to the mighty river. During the Civil War, the Union used the Mississippi River to carry out its plans for dominating the Confederacy, with a strategic location in Vicksburg being one of the key points of focus.
Vicksburg is located on the Mississippi River, at the highest spot between the rivers Appalachicola and Missouri. As a result, the city served as a natural defensive location blocking passage up the river. Defenders at Vicksburg could fire on Union boats moving upriver. As early as 1861, Union General Ulysses S. Grant saw the strategic value of Vicksburg and tried to capture the city. Grant first attacked Vicksburg in May 1862 but was unsuccessful in taking the city. After several further attempts at capturing Vicksburg, Grant developed a detailed plan in June 1863 to take control of the city.
Grant was well aware that his primary opponent in Vicksburg was the Confederate General John C. Pemberton. Grant considered a variety of strategies; he determined that the Union could not secure control of a land-base into the interior of the city, but determined that it was possible to encircle Vicksburg from the river. Grant completed this plan by May 22, 1863, relying on his powerful navy and the river. Grant was able to move his boats up the Mississippi River, tying them together to make a continuous line around Vicksburg, thereby cutting off its supply lines.
The Vicksburg campaign was a difficult affair that lasted for several months. The city was under Union siege by May 27 and the citizens of Vicksburg surrendered on July 4th, 1863. After Vicksburg’s capture, the American Civil War entered a new chapter with the Union being seen as the dominant force. The Union’s victory at Vicksburg constituted a critical turning point in the war, as a combined Confederate force of over ten thousand men was surrendered to the North. After the fall of the city, the Mississippi then became the only major navigable waterway left to the Union, thus allowing the North to ship supplies and troops from the east coast to the western theater.
The US Navy played an important role in Grant’s Vicksburg campaign and the success of the Union’s river strategy. The Navy supplied the ships needed to blockade the rivers leading into Vicksburg and provided naval weapons to the Union ground forces that attacked the city. In addition, the Navy was kept informed of Confederate movements, allowing Grant to determine the best strategies for the campaign. The river’s strategic importance was reinforced during the siege; the USS Cairo, a ship destroyed by a mine near Vicksburg, was a more dramatic reminder of the toll the war was taking.
The use of the river was not limited to Grant’s campaign against Vicksburg. The Union flag floated down the river in July 1863, signifying the North’s control over the waterway, and the Union established naval bases near Vicksburg. This allowed the Union to have a stronger presence and encourage Union supporters in the city, allowing them to develop a campaign against the Confederate population. The river also provided a way for the Union army to move personnel and supplies during the siege.
The Union was also able to use the river to its advantage in the ongoing struggle against the Confederate forces. By using the river to transport cavalry and supplies, the Union was able to keep its troops provisioned and supplied with ammunition, allowing them to outmaneuver their opponents and take advantage of strategic locations along the river.
The Union was also able to use the river to launch surprise attacks on the Confederacy, such as the attacks on Port Hudson and Grand Gulf. These assaults enabled the Union to gain control of strategic points on the Mississippi, further strengthening its position in the conflict. In all, the Union used the Mississippi River to tremendous strategic advantage in its efforts to take Vicksburg, and in so doing, turn the tide of the Civil War.
Rebuilding in Vicksburg
After the war ended, the city of Vicksburg was left devastated by the Union assault. In its efforts to rebuild, the city turned to the river as an avenue of rebuilding. The city built wharves to accommodate new steamships, created new industrial districts, and developed new trade routes with northern cities. In addition, the city was also able to take advantage of the new river trade that was created by the war, allowing it to become an important center for trade with the north.
The new river trade also allowed Vicksburg to become the first city in Mississippi to establish an integrated school system. The city also earned a new nickname, “The City that Survived” due to its resilience in the face of adversity. Many of the buildings that were destroyed during the war were rebuilt and the city went on to create a thriving business district, which remains to this day.
The city also used the Mississippi River to develop its commercial fishing industry, taking advantage of the river’s natural resources. The river was dredged to allow for larger vessels and to create a larger access for boats. This allowed for more efficient fishing practices, as well as creating an improved shipping route for other products.
Tourism Based on The River
In the later 19th and early 20th centuries, Vicksburg also began to capitalize on the river as a tourist destination. Tourists flocked to Vicksburg to take in the views of the scenic Mississippi River. Hotels and restaurants were also built to take advantage of this new-found tourism income. One of the most popular tourist attractions was the opening of the Vicksburg City Hall in 1901.
The city established a new transportation system using the river. Excursion boats such as the Old Queen of the Mississippi and the City of Natchez allowed people to tour the local sites. Those who did not have the money for a boat ride could still tour the river by taking a paddleboat excursion. This new network of river transportation increased tourism and allowed people to explore the beauty of the Mississippi River.
The Union’s successful use of the Mississippi River in Vicksburg changed the course of the Civil War, and helped the city to recover from the destruction of the war years. The river became a powerful symbol of the Union’s victory, and Vicksburg was able to take advantage of its new strategic position and begin the process of rebuilding. By taking advantage of the river’s natural environment and resources, Vicksburg was able to establish itself as a major economic and tourist center.
Present Day Effects of The Union’s Utilisation of The Mississippi In Vicksburg
Today, the impact of the Union’s use of the Mississippi River in the Vicksburg campaign can still be seen. The Vicksburg National Military Park preserves and commemorates the events and sites associated with the siege and includes monuments, authentic weapons, and reproductions of Union and Confederate earthworks, making it a popular tourist destination.
The river still serves as a vital economic resource for Vicksburg, providing for shipping, fishing, and recreation industries. The city also continues to benefit from the tourism related to the Civil War and the actions of the Union during the Vicksburg campaign. The river, which served as an integral part of the Union strategy during the Vicksburg campaign, can still be seen as a powerful symbol of the Union victory.
The legacy of the Union’s use of the Mississippi River still remains in Vicksburg. The river has been a central element to the success of the city, providing vital resources for businesses and tourism and serving as a reminder of the Union’s decisive victory during the Civil War.
Commemoration of The Vicksburg Campaign in History Books
The Vicksburg Campaign has become a central part of the history of the Civil War. Historians and scholars continue to analyze the actions of the Union Army in the campaign, and the Union’s use of the river in Vicksburg has become one of the most studied features of the conflict. The Union’s success in taking the strategic city was seen as a major turning point in the Civil War and its decisive use of the Mississippi River in the campaign has become iconic.
A number of books and articles have been written about the Vicksburg campaign, and its importance in American history is widely recognized. The campaign has also been remembered through memorials, monuments, and reenactments, allowing people to gain a better understanding of the conflict and its impact on the region. The Union’s use of the Mississippi River in the Vicksburg campaign has become a major part of the American historical narrative.
Ultimately, the Union’s successful use of the Mississippi River in Vicksburg was critical to their victory in the Civil War. The strategic importance of the river was well understood by both sides, but the Union’s command of the river allowed them to break the Confederate hold on Vicksburg and tip the balance of the Civil War in their favor. While much has changed since the Civil War, the legacy of the Union’s successful use of the Mississippi River in Vicksburg continues to be felt to this day.
Appreciation of The Mississippi as Part of The Vicksburg Landscape
When talking about the history of Vicksburg, it is important to remember the role of the Mississippi River in the development of the town. The river has been central to Vicksburg’s culture and economy since its foundation. The United States Navy’s use of the river during the Civil War only increased its importance. To this day, the river remains an essential part of Vicksburg’s identity.
The river is also an important part of Vicksburg’s tourism industry. Sightseeing tours of the river, riverboat cruises, and other activities draw people to the city who are looking to reconnect with the past, experience the majesty of the river, or just relax and take in the views. The Mississippi River runs through the heart of Vicksburg, and the city has embraced its role in the flow of history.
Vicksburg has also recognized the cultural significance of the Mississippi River and has included its presence in its internal decorations. Houses and public buildings are designed to incorporate the riverside views, and public monuments and statues celebrating the importance of the river are prominent throughout the city.
The Mississippi River has been of central importance to the history of Vicksburg, whether as a resource to help spur economic growth, a key battleground in the Civil War, or a source of natural beauty that draws in tourists. The appreciation of the river and its role in Vicksburg’s history is something that has been ingrained in the community and is something that will continue to be celebrated.
External Links to The Vicksburg Campaign
The Vicksburg Campaign has been widely studied and discussed in academic circles, and there are many online resources that provide more information. The National Park Service has a website dedicated to the Vicksburg National Military Park that provides information on the Union’s use of the Mississippi River in the campaign. The US Army Center of Military History also has a page that provides an overview of the Vicksburg campaign and the Union’s use of the river. There are a number of books available that provide an in-depth look at the campaign, such as John H. Eicher’s The Vicksburg Campaign: March 29-July 4, 1863 and Nash Boney’s The Siege of Vicksburg.
In addition, there are a number of primary documents that shed light on the Union’s use of the Mississippi River during the Vicksburg campaign, such as General Grant’s firsthand narrative of the campaign, his official correspondence, and the journal of the USS Benton, which was a Union gunboat that served in the siege. The United States Naval Institute also has a website where readers can find a collection of documents about the naval battles in and around the Vicksburg campaign.
The Union’s use of the Mississippi River during the Vicksburg campaign remains one of the most studied aspects of the Civil War. The successful use of the river was a decisive factor in the Union’s victory and the legacy of the campaign is still seen in Vicksburg to this day. The city of Vicksburg, with its rich history, remains a reminder of the power of the Mississippi River.
