UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Stewart L. Udall, Secretary

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Conrad L. Wirth, Director

HISTORICAL HANDBOOK NUMBER TWENTY-ONE

This publication is one of a series of handbooks describing thehistorical and archeological areas in the National Park Systemadministered by the National Park Service of the United StatesDepartment of the Interior. It is printed by the GovernmentPrinting Office and may be purchased from the Superintendent ofDocuments, Washington 25, D. C. Price 25 cents.

VICKSBURG
National Military Park, Mississippi

by William C. Everhart

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HISTORICAL HANDBOOK SERIES No. 21
Washington, D. C., 1954
(Reprint 1961)

Contents

Page

Vicksburg and the Mississippi 1

The First Moves Against Vicksburg 3

Grant’s First Failure at Vicksburg 6

THE BAYOU EXPEDITIONS: GRANT MOVES AGAINST VICKSBURG—AND FAILS 8

The Geographical Problem of Vicksburg 8

Grant’s Canal 10

Duckport Canal 12

Lake Providence Expedition 12

The Yazoo Pass Expedition 14

The Steele’s Bayou Expedition 14

THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN: GRANT MOVES AGAINST VICKSBURG—AND SUCCEEDS 16

Porter Runs the Vicksburg Batteries 16

The River Crossing 19

The Battle of Port Gibson 21

The Strategy of the Vicksburg Campaign 21

The Battles of Raymond and Jackson 23

The Battle of Champion’s Hill 26

The Battle of Big Black River 30

The Campaign Ended 31

THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG 33

The Confederate Defense Line 33

The Assault of May 19 34

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