Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg

Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg

Siege of Vicksburg

While General McClellan (Union) was hesitant to fight General Lee in the eastern part of the country, General Ulysses S. Grant (Union) fought and won many battles in the West along the Mississippi River.  

Grant's Plans

• After the Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee, Grant won greater control of the Mississippi River valley. 

• He then pushed south to meet up with the Union navy in Vicksburg, Mississippi. 

Importance of Vicksburg

• Vicksburg controlled part of the Mississippi and also railroads through the South.

Open Ended

Why do you think the North and South both wanted to control Vicksburg?

Landscape of Vicksburg

• Vicksburg was perched on 200-foot-high cliffs above the river, and it was surrounded by deep gorges (narrow valleys with rocky walls).

Multiple Choice

Why do you think the geography of Vicksburg made it impossible for the Union army to invade directly?

• Lots of lakes and rivers to cross

• steep mountains and valleys made it hard to move troops easily

• surrounded by too much forest

Siege of Vicksburg

• Siege -  military operation in which enemy forces surround a town or building, cutting off essential supplies, with the aim of forcing the surrender of those inside.

• In mid-May 1862, General Grant (commanding the army) and General Farragut (commanding the navy) began the Siege of Vicksburg.  The city was cut off from food and supplies, and the Union shelled it repeatedly. 

Siege Effects on Civilians

• One woman wrote in her diary, “We are utterly cut off from the world, surrounded by a circle of fire.”

• People had to survive by eating horses and dogs and living in caves they dug into the sides of hills.

Siege Effects on Confed. Soldiers

• Confederate soldiers inside the city also were sick and hungry. 

• By July, General Pemberton had to surrender Vicksburg.

• Grant later said that the Confederacy was doomed when Vicksburg fell.

Multiple Choice

What is the goal of a siege?

• cut off supplies for enemy until they surrender

• destroy everything an enemy needs for war

• retreat without losing many soldiers

Multiple Select

How did the Siege of Vicksburg affect the people living there?

• constantly bombed

• little food or supplies

• forced to keep enemy soldiers in their homes

Open Ended

Why was the Siege of Vicksburg a turning point in the war?

Poll

In a siege, homes are bombed and civilians are starved. Is this a "fair" way to win a battle?

• Yes, if it helps to win the war

• Yes, since they shouldn't have helped the enemy

• No, civilians should never be hurt on purpose

• No, war is supposed to be battles between tow armies

Battle of Gettysburg

Another turning point in the war

Open Ended

Why do you think General Lee (Confederates) was so focused on winning a battle in the North?

Geography in the Battle of Gettysburg

• Toward the end of the first day of battle, the Union forces retreated and took the high ground on Cemetery Hill. 

• On the second day of battle, Confederate forces fought to take control of Little Round Top, a hill that would overlook Union forces. 

Multiple Select

Why do the Union and Confederate forces both want control of the high ground (on top of hills)?

• You can see enemy forces approaching.

• You can fire down on the enemy attacking.

• It's harder to charge uphill in battle.

Pickett's Charge

• On the third day of battle, General Lee ordered George Pickett’s troops to attack what appeared to be a weak point in the Union troops on Cemetery Ridge. 

• To do this, Pickett’s Charge had to cross one mile of open ground below the Union troops. 

Open Ended

Why is it so difficult for the troops in Pickett's Charge to cross a mile of open ground below the Union?

End of the Battle

• The Union troops under General Meade force the Confederates to retreat at Gettysburg.

• The Confederate Army will not wage another battle in the North for the rest of the war.

After the Battle

• Citizens in the town of Gettysburg must now handle the thousands of dead and injured soldiers after the battle.

• Wounded soldiers outnumber citizens by 12-to-1.

• Many believe the soldiers should be buried where they were - first national battle cemetery.

Multiple Choice

Why is the Battle of Gettysburg considered a turning point in the war?

• Union army destroyed the entire Confederate army

• Confederate army won a major battle in the North.

• It forced the Confederate army out of the North and boosted northern morale.