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Siege of Vicksburg
Vicksburg, Mississippi |
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Siege of Vicksburg
The recreated works before you are similar to the Confederate
fortifications that helped defend Vicksburg in the summer of 1863.
Designed and constructed under the supervision of Major Samuel Lockett,
the Confederate fortifications of Vicksburg extended for more than eight
miles and formed a huge semi circle around the city with both flanks
resting on the Mississippi River above and below Vicksburg. The line
consisted of nine major forts, referred to as Redans (triangular
shaped), Redoubts (rectangular shaped), and Lunettes (crescent shaped).
The forts were made of earth and logs and connected by a line of
trenches and rifle-pits. Known as "The Gibraltar of the Confederacy,"
Vicksburg's fortifications were manned by 30,000 troops, mounted 170
cannon, and posed the major obstacle to Union domination of the
Mississippi River.
Union troop commanded by Maj. General Ulysses S. Grant, stormed the
city's defenses on May 19 and 22, 1863, only to be driven back with
heavy loss. Resorting to siege operations, Grant slowly extended his
lines cutting the Confederates off from all supply and communications
from the outside world. Federal soldiers then dug thirteen approaches
(known as saps) the object of which was to reach Confederate lines and
detonate mines underneath the forts. Although two mines were exploded
beneath the Third Louisiana Redan on Jackson Road (Tour Stop #3), the
fortifications held firm until Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton surrendered
the city and its Confederate garrison on July 4, 1863. |
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Confederate Army |
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Union Army |
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Vicksburg National Military
Park |
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