Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant · Chapter
Siege of Vicksburg explained
Grant describes the decision to lay siege to Vicksburg after the failed assault of May 22, detailing the complete investment of the city by Union forces and the navy.
What happens
Grant describes the decision to lay siege to Vicksburg after the failed assault of May 22, detailing the complete investment of the city by Union forces and the navy. He recounts the rapid campaign from Bruinsburg to the rear of Vicksburg, listing the five battles fought, the captures made, and the strategic advantages gained. The chapter covers the construction of siege works, the use of engineer officers, the placement of artillery, and the reinforcement of the Union line. It also includes the relief of General McClernand for publishing an unauthorized congratulatory order.
Themes in this chapter
The Horrors and Cost of War
Grant details the casualties from the campaign, including 695 killed, 3,425 wounded, and 259 missing, and describes the use of explosive musket-balls by the enemy.
Leadership and Humility
Grant's decision to switch to a regular siege after the failed assault shows strategic humility; he also delegates engineering work to West Point graduates and accepts Halleck's reinforcements without complaint.
Duty and Service
The troops work tirelessly on defenses and approaches, and Grant notes that many wounded continued on duty, reflecting a strong sense of duty.
National Union and Constitutional Crisis
The siege of Vicksburg is a pivotal event in preserving the Union by securing the Mississippi River and splitting the Confederacy.
Characters to notice
- Ulysses S. Grant
Author and commander of the Union forces; decides on a regular siege, directs the investment, and relieves McClernand.
- William T. Sherman
Commands the right wing of the siege line, starting from the river above Vicksburg.
- James B. McPherson
Commands the center of the siege line, with McArthur's division under him.
- John A. McClernand
Commands the left wing of the siege line; later relieved by Grant for publishing an unauthorized order.
- Henry W. Halleck
General-in-chief who appreciates the situation and forwards reinforcements without being asked.
- David D. Porter
Admiral who supplies the army with a battery of navy-guns of large calibre for the siege.
- John A. Rawlins
Grant's chief of staff; mentioned as a graduate who assists in engineering work.
- John C. Pemberton
Confederate commander of Vicksburg; the enemy general under siege.
Key passages
“I now determined upon a regular siege—to 'out-camp the enemy,' as it were, and to incur no more losses.”
Grant decided to lay a formal siege, aiming to outlast the enemy and avoid further casualties.
Grant shifts strategy after the costly assault of May 22.
“The crossing of troops at Bruinsburg commenced April 30th. On the 18th of May the army was in rear of Vicksburg.”
The army crossed at Bruinsburg on April 30 and was behind Vicksburg by May 18.
Timeline of the rapid campaign from crossing to investment.
“We had no siege guns except six thirty-two pounders, and there were none at the West to draw from. Admiral Porter, however, supplied us with a battery of navy-guns of large calibre.”
The army lacked siege artillery, but Admiral Porter provided heavy naval guns for the siege.
Naval support was crucial for the siege operations.
“I at once wrote to McClernand, directing him to send me a copy of this order. He did so, and I at once relieved him from the command of the 13th army corps and ordered him back to Springfield, Illinois.”
Grant demanded a copy of McClernand's unauthorized order and then relieved him of command, sending him to Illinois.
Grant's decisive action against McClernand for violating orders.
