The Battle of Vicksburg was an important battle that would prove to be a key turning point in the Civil War. Vicksburg, Mississippi, is located on the east bank of the Mississippi River, which is between Memphis, Tennessee to the north and New Orleans, Louisiana to the south. Seizing this land would give authority over all of Mississippi to the Union, but it was heavily guarded by a Confederate army led by General John C. Pemberton (National Geographic Society). In the Spring of the year 1863, General Ulysses S. Grant marched his army to the west side of the Mississippi River. The troops must meet up with the Union Navy to provide them with transport to cross into Confederate land. On April 16, Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter attempted to creep his fleet through the Mississippi to
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Grant moved his soldiers further south and found an optimal crossing point at Bruinsburg. During the early morning of April 30, the men of the 24th and 46th Indiana Regiments stepped onto the Mississippi soil. The Union troops disputed with the Confederate army at Port Gibson and Raymond and by the 14th of May, the Union was able to successfully capture Jackson, Mississippi. On May 16, the Union faced Pemberton’s Army and exchanged shots at Champion Hill. They came across each other again on May 17, at the Big Black River. Both of these battles resulted in Union victories which forced the Confederate men to retreat to their defenses at Vicksburg (American Battlefield Trust). Throughout June, Grant’s army slowly proceeded toward the Confederate defense at Vicksburg. The Confederate army, though brave and valiant, was suffering from reduced rations, exposure to dangerous elements and chemicals, and continuous assaults from the Union guns. The defenders of Vicksburg were reduced in number due to sickness and battle
Grant moved his soldiers further south and found an optimal crossing point at Bruinsburg. During the early morning of April 30, the men of the 24th and 46th Indiana Regiments stepped onto the Mississippi soil. The Union troops disputed with the Confederate army at Port Gibson and Raymond and by the 14th of May, the Union was able to successfully capture Jackson, Mississippi. On May 16, the Union faced Pemberton’s Army and exchanged shots at Champion Hill. They came across each other again on May 17, at the Big Black River. Both of these battles resulted in Union victories which forced the Confederate men to retreat to their defenses at Vicksburg (American Battlefield Trust). Throughout June, Grant’s army slowly proceeded toward the Confederate defense at Vicksburg. The Confederate army, though brave and valiant, was suffering from reduced rations, exposure to dangerous elements and chemicals, and continuous assaults from the Union guns. The defenders of Vicksburg were reduced in number due to sickness and battle