The Battle of Vicksburg was important because the Northern victory gave them control of the Mississippi River. It also was important because it ended one day after the South lost at Gettysburg.

Grant proposed to capture Vicksburg in 1862-1863. That would give the North a key position that would guard the Mississippi River between Memphis and New Orleans. Grant tried to do this with naval support, but the ground was too marshy and would not allow that to happen.

Grant took personal command of the army he determined to capture Vicksburg union troops tried to dig a canal across the u-shaped turn of the Mississippi River near Vicksburg. This would allow boats to pass. It was wet work. Grant next tried to approach Vicksburg from the north over the swampy water but this plan also failed.

By this time, Confederate troops had retreated into Vicksburg after suffering defeats at Champion Hill and River Bridge. Grant tried twice to break through the city’s defenses. They both failed. They had to build a nine mile long line around Vicksburg. Union forces started digging trenches of their own.

In 1863, Union gunboats and supply ships set up a base on the river below the city. They then went down the river and took a ship across to the eastern side. The Confederate army was to separate as the north drove toward Vicksburg.

Grant began an artillery assault against the Confederate line at the same time as Union gunboats on the Mississippi River.