The Siege of Vicksburg: Behind the Front Line

A month and a half, nearly our troops have been fighting in Vicksburg. May 19, General Ulysses S. Grant led an assault, but was beaten back. To siege Vicksburg, our troops needed reinforcements, so to buy time, General Grant attacked again on May 22, and was driven back. Word came that Federal general McClernand had captured a Confederate fort. General Grant ordered General McClernand to come with his troops and help with the siege.

The other reinforcements gathered were General Hulbert's, McPherson's, and Sherman's troops. General Grant arranged them from south to north around the perimeter of Vicksburg. Our troops' plan included digging approach saps, mines, and countermines. 71,000 of our men were led by Grant,half of which fought in the siege. The Confederates of Vicksburg were weakening ! On July 3, the Confederates requested to meet for terms. July 4, the Confederates surrendered. General Grant was actually very surprised that the Confederates had surrendered thinking that the Confederate's renforcements would appear. I guess not ! A battle that lasted quite awhile, but ended in a glorious Federal victory!

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