‘eagle of the 8th’ by Don Troiani

siege and capture of Vicksburg (18 may – 4 july 1863)

source : ‘the atlas of the civil war’ by James M. McPherson, Courage Books, 2005

The army of the Tennessee crossed the Big Black river on may 17, and closed on Vicksburg.

‘general of the Confederacy’ by Don Troiani

Grant’s second Vicksburg campaign phase 2 (may 2-17 1863)

source : ‘the atlas of the civil war’ by James M. McPherson, Courage Books, 2005

Having secured his beachhead, Grant assessed his options: attacking Vicksburg from the south would capture the city, but Pemberton would escape northeast; Grant could march east and strike the Southern railroads, pivot west, and close on Vicksburg from the east.

Grant’s second Vicksburg campaign phase 1 (january 8 – may 2 1863)

source : ‘the atlas of the civil war’ by James M. McPherson, Courage Books, 2005

Grant determined to operate against Vicksburg from a base on the Mississippi, and in the last days of january 1863 he established his headquarters at Milliken’s Bend.

Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg 1863

source : ‘the American civil war story’ BBC history magazine

In the first days of july 1863, two simultaneous military victories for the Union seemed to turn the tide in the war.