Role of Union Gunboats In the Vicksburg Campaign

Getz, Lowell L.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/107167 Copy

Description

Title

Role of Union Gunboats In the Vicksburg Campaign

Author(s)

Getz, Lowell L.

Issue Date

2020-05-18

Keyword(s)

• Union River Gunboats
• Vicksburg Campaign
• Battle of Chickasaw Bayou
• Yazoo Pass Expedition
• Steele’s Bayou Expedition
• Grand Gulf
• Battle of Arkansas Post
• Battle of Fort Hindman
• Civil War

Geographic Coverage

Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers

Abstract

During the Civil War, because much of the commerce within the country was moved by riverboats, the Mississippi River and its tributaries became a focal point for naval action between the Union and Confederate “brown water” (river gunboat) navies. In early February 1862, The Union’s Western Gunboat Flotilla began taking control of the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers and the upper Mississippi River. By the 6th of June, the former two rivers and the Mississippi, down to Memphis, were in Union hands. In mid April 1862, Admiral David G. Farragut assembled his “white water” blockade fleet, and entered the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico to gain control of the southern reaches of the river. After accepting the surrender of New Orleans, Admiral Farragut moved on upstream, capturing Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Natchez, Mississippi. He moved on to Vicksburg, Mississippi, but did not have the forces to take the city. With its strong fortifications overlooking the river below, Vicksburg prevented navigation of Union boats, military and commercial, up and down the river. While in Confederate hands, Vicksburg also allowed communication of the eastern Confederate states with the western states of Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. The eastern states relied heavily upon the three western states for horses, cattle and reinforcements. Capture of Vicksburg would allow the Union unrestricted usage of the river and isolate the western Confederate states from the eastern states. In November 1862, Major General Ulysses S. Grant began a campaign to capture Vicksburg. This report provides a detailed account of the participation of Union gunboats in the various phases of the Vicksburg Campaign until surrender of the city on 4 July 1863, based on original reports of participants during the campaign.

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/107167

Copyright and License Information

Text Copyright 2020 by Lowell L. Getz. All Rights Reserved

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