The most crucial battle fought during the American civil War, the battle of Vicksburg was the culmination point of a 47-day siege. Major General of the Union army , Grant's capture of Jackson city forced the Confederate army chief Pemberton to retreat on defensive lines. The city of Vicksburg was turned into a fortress during the War. Pemberton's retreat forced the city to yield unto Grant who brought the city under a 47-day siege which ended with the battle of Vicksburg .
Retreat of Pemberton in 1863 to the surroundings of Vicksburg guaranteed Grant an unhindered entry into Vicksburg. On his westward retreat Pemberton burned the Big black River bridges and seized all edible items lying on his path. Docking of Union steamboats up the Yazoo river did not throw Grant and his troops into problems over general supplies. The Union army of Grant marched forward repairing the burnt bridges in order to take control of Vicksburg. Vicksburg finally came under Union siege. It took 20 days for Grant to cross the river and during the time span his army won 5 crucial wars in Jackson, Port Gibson, Raymond, Big Black River and Champion Hill.
Once within the city they staged a direct assault on confederate works.
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The siege began formally with the hapless confederate soldiers and citizens finding no course for respite. Ensured of their condition, Grant began a full-fledged siege. Dead soldiers and horses poisoned the air with foul smell. All hopes of confederate victory were crushed in their defeat at Milliken's Bend. Coupled with the defeat was the tragedy of poor food supply and with it the outbreak of several diseases like scurvy and dysentery. Continuous bombardment reduced the city into a heap of ruins.
The 3 rd Louisiana Redan burnt up the major Jackson road and it dealt the final blow to the confederates.
The confederates tried desperately to shift pressure from Vicksburg by staging an attack in the north in the Gettysburg Campaign. Grant demanded unconditional surrender from Pemberton on July 3, 1863, but considering their devastated condition an old oak tree was used to formalize the surrender.
The Union troops had won the battle and Vicksburg came under Union control along with the control of the Mississippi river. The city had surrendered on July 4, 1863.
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