VicksburgVicksburg The Civil War. "Vicksburg is the key. The war can never be brought to a close until the key is in our pocket," --President Abraham.

VicksburgVicksburgVicksburgVicksburg

The Civil WarThe Civil WarThe Civil WarThe Civil War

"Vicksburg is the key. The war can never be brought to a close until the key is in

our pocket," --President Abraham Lincoln

"Vicksburg is the key. The war can never be brought to a close until the key is in

our pocket," --President Abraham Lincoln

Why was Vicksburg the Why was Vicksburg the key?key?

Why was Vicksburg the Why was Vicksburg the key?key?

Search Vicksburg, Mississippi on Google Maps or Google Earth

Take notes on your tan 1863-65 study guide sheet about why you think the geography of this city made it Lincoln’s “key”.

Confederate River Batteries

http://www.picturehistory.com/product/id/31223

http://www.picturehistory.com/product/id/31223

The SiegeThe SiegeThe SiegeThe Siege

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/civil/jb_civil_vicksburg_1_e.html

http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/29684

What is a siege?What is a siege?What is a siege?What is a siege?

Write the definition of siege on your study guide.

Draw a little sketch to help you remember

Write the definition of siege on your study guide.

Draw a little sketch to help you remember

Cave DwellingsCave DwellingsCave DwellingsCave Dwellingshttp://www.primaryteachers.org/vicksburgafter.gif

“The caves were plainly becoming a necessity, as some persons had been killed on the streets

by fragments of shells. The room that I had so lately slept in had been struck by a fragment of a shell

during the first night, and a large hole made in the ceiling.”--Mary Loughborough, Confederate officer’s wife published in My

Cave Life in Vicksburg, 1864.From http://friendsofraymond.org/articles/cave-life.htm

Cave ReenactmentCave ReenactmentCave ReenactmentCave Reenactmenthttp://friendsofraymond.org/articles/cave-life.htm

Grant’s StrategyGrant’s StrategyGrant’s StrategyGrant’s Strategy

April 16, 1863 started marching his troops for 17 days to fight 5 separate battles surrounding Vicksburg.

Started siege on May 18, 1863--constant shelling.

April 16, 1863 started marching his troops for 17 days to fight 5 separate battles surrounding Vicksburg.

Started siege on May 18, 1863--constant shelling.

The SurrenderThe SurrenderThe SurrenderThe Surrender

General Pemberton surrendered on July 4, 1863 after his soldiers wrote a letter petitioning surrender or desertion.

By this time, rations were down to 1 biscuit a day for soldiers

Civilians were eating rats

The city of Vicksburg did not celebrate Independence Day again until 1944.

General Pemberton surrendered on July 4, 1863 after his soldiers wrote a letter petitioning surrender or desertion.

By this time, rations were down to 1 biscuit a day for soldiers

Civilians were eating rats

The city of Vicksburg did not celebrate Independence Day again until 1944.