sippi River from Cairo to below Memphis. Grant took forts Henery, Donelson, Buell, captured Nashville, and Shiloh. Once Grant reached Vicksburg his plan was to take Vicksburg by storm where he could win a short decisive victory. Grant surrounded the city of Vicksburg and opened up a series of artillery bombardment. This came from siege artillery and Admiral David D Porter’s Gunboats. After this series of bombardment Grant assembled at 10:00 am on May 22, 1863 Grants troops attacked the city of Vicksburg. The attack was a long and bitter on costing the Union 3,199 casualties. The attack showed some signs of success in the beginning but Grant realized that he would not be able to take Vicksburg in this assault type fashion.Grant, after failing in the attack of Vicksburg, with his brilliant military stratagem decided to prepare a siege on Vicksburg. Grant describes the battle in this letter, “Vicksburg is now completely invested. I have possession of Haynes’ Bluff and the Yazoo; consequently have supplies. Today an attempt was made to carry the city by assault, but was not entirely successful. We hold possession, however, of two of the enemy’s forts and have skirmishers close under all of them. The nature of the ground of Vicksburg is such that it can only be taken by a siege. It is entirely safe to us in time, I would say one week if the enemy do not send a large army upon my rear.” The initial preparation for the siege was “to secure a footing on dry ground on the east side of the river from which the troops could operate against Vicksburg.” Grant’s siege would enable him to make the Confederates surrender with out having a major battle, thus conserving human lives. Grant surrounded the city and began building a series of trenches and barricades. The city was cut off of all supplies; then it was just a matter of time before they would surrender. As the days went on Gran...
