Seige of Vicksburg

As early as 1861, the value of fortifying Vicksburg to aid in the closing of the Mississippi River was clear to the Confederate command, but it was not until February 1862 that steps were taken to garrison and fortify the place. General Braxton Bragg sent one regiment to set up a command post, and in March guns and ammunition were sent from Pensacola, Florida. In April, General Pierre Beauregard recommended that works should be constructed on the bluffs commanding the river for 40 guns and six batteries, which were to be completed by May. Three thousand soldiers were committed to the post.

Meanwhile, the Federal command gave orders to clear the Mississippi. Admiral David Farragut and Admiral David Porter, in naval commands, were ordered to attack the new fortifications. They were unsuccessful and a stalemate resulted. Vicksburg's defenses were too high above the river to be bothered. This situation endured until General Ulysses Grant moved 30,000 men against Vicksburg in November, 1862. On July 4, 1863, the siege and capture of Vicksburg were over. After one of

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rly nine miles. At the peak of the bend, the vessels could be caught head-on. For nearly five miles thereafter, they were subject to a plunging fire. Porter led the way on the flagship Benon. He had seven ironclads: three larger vessels and four gunboats built by the marine and naval engineer-inventor, James Eads. One ram and three transports followed. Coal barges were lashed alongside or taken in tow. Cotton bales were used to protect the super-structure of the vessels. After this exploit, Porter was in command of three flotillas, each with a base of its own: first, a flotilla remaining north of Vicksburg for work on the Yazoo; second, the main body of the fleet between Vicksburg and Grand Gulf; third, the Red River flotilla. This combined naval force commanded all lines of communication north, south and west of Vicksburg, enabling Grant to concentrate entirely against the eastern side of the city. To clear the river further, on April 29, with seven gunboats carrying 81 guns, Porter fired on the Grand Gulf batteries, and by 1:30 p.m. the Confederates were still not silenced. Grant out-flanked Grand Gulf, and, on May 3, he rode into town. Admiral/historian Samuel Eliot Morison graphically describes the April 16 m
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2950
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page)