Vicksburg Assaults: May 19-22, 1863

This anthology examines General Ulysses S. Grant's unsuccessful assaults against Confederate defensive lines around Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1863. The essays by expert historians explore the military and social history of the assaults, highlighting the controversial decisions surrounding the Railroad Redoubt and the tenacity of Texan reinforcements. The anthology provides essential clarity and understanding of these important events within the larger scope of the Civil Wars Vicksburg Campaign.

Format: Hardback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2019
Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press

This anthology delves into a comprehensive examination of General Ulysses S. Grant's unsuccessful assaults against Confederate defensive lines around the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, on May 19 and May 22, 1863. Following a series of victories through the state earlier that spring, Grant's Army of the Tennessee had reached a critical juncture in its campaign to capture the city on the hill. Taking Vicksburg would grant the Union control over the Mississippi River and divide the Confederacy in half. Confederate morale was low, and the prospect of a Union victory in the war seemed imminent before Grant's assault against General John C. Pemberton's Army of Mississippi.

However, due to challenging terrain, robust defenses, and disjointed movements, the swift victory Grant sought remained unattainable. On the afternoon of May 19, with minimal rest, preparation, or reconnaissance, Union forces charged the Confederate lines, only to be repelled. A respite between the assaults allowed both sides to reinforce their positions. Early on May 22, the Union artillery attempted to soften the strongholds defenses before the general attack, but despite the Union forces' preparation, the fighting proved even more disorganized and vicious. Grant failed to move Pemberton once again. Recognizing the risk of further casualties in a third attack, Grant conceded to the necessity of laying siege. Confederate morale soared as the Southerners realized they had stood their ground against an overwhelming force.

Editors Steven E. Woodworth and Charles D. Grear have skillfully compiled five captivating essays from four esteemed historians into a singular, in-depth volume. Ranging from military to social history, the essays explore the assaults while contributing to historical debates on broader topics, such as the reactions of Midwesterners to the first shots fired at Fort Sumter. This anthology offers a valuable perspective on a pivotal period in American history, shedding light on the strategies, tactics, and consequences of these failed assaults.

Weight: 352g
Dimension: 161 x 237 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780809337194