Cadet Benford

1
Cadet Benford
Assaults On VicksburgMay 19 and 22, 1863
2
19 May Assault

• After the Battle of the Big Black on 17 May,
  Pemberton retreats into Vicksburg
• Grant is anxious to finish the job and orders an
  ill-advised assault on 19 May
• Major attack is by Shermans corps at the
  Confederate left-center at Stockade Redan
• Assaults fail

3
Union Morale was High at the Beginning of the
Battle

• On the morning of May 19, a Sergeant Oldroyd
  wrote, This day beholds a cordon of steel, with
  rivets of brave hearts, surrounding Vicksburg.
  We have now come here to compel them to
  surrender, and we are prepared to do it either by
  charge or by siegeThey have fought well to keep
  their homes free from invasion, and surely
  deserve praise for returning to battle after so
  many defeats.

4
Stockade Redan
5
Stockade Redan
6
22 May Assault

• Grant tries again, proceeding the attack with a
  heavy artillery bombardment
• Sherman is again repulsed at Stockade Redan
• McClernand, the only Federal commander to attack
  with his entire corps, has success at the
  Railroad Redoubt and threatens South Fort and
  Square Fort
• McClernand needs help from Sherman and McPherson
  to exploit these opportunities, but he doesnt
  get it
• Violation of the principle of war of mass
• Grant gives up the idea of taking Vicksburg by
  assault and begins siege tactics

7
Thayers Approach

• Brigadier General John Thayers brigade had taken
  part in the unsuccessful assaults on 19 May and
  22 May advancing up the hill only to be driven
  back by Confederates positioned at the top.

8
Thayers Strategy

• After the second failure, the Union soldiers
  began digging a six foot deep trench up the hill.
  
• Near the top of the hill, the Union soldiers
  began digging a mine under the Confederates.
• Vicksburg surrendered before it could be
  completed.

9
Description of The Union Trench

• As it was difficult to defile this approach,
  blinding was resorted to. Fascines made of cane
  were used they were placed across the trench,
  which was about 6 feet deep, formed a roof which
  hid the movements of our men, and, where well
  constructed, was impenetrable to musket balls.
  (Captain Herman Klostermann)

10
Thayers Approach

• The approach commenced near the crest of a
  ridge, it ran down the slope which was toward the
  enemy, and then up the opposite slope of the
  ravine, toward the ridge on which the salient
  approached was situated."
• Union Captain Herman Klostermann

11
Terrain Thayers Approach

• Confederate View

• Union View

12
Bibliography

• Wheeler Richard, The Siege of Vicksburg. Thomas
  Crowell publishing, 1978
• Winschel Terrence, Triumph and Defeat, The
  Vicksburg Campaign. St. Martins Press, 1999
• Korn Jerry, War on the Mississippi Grants
  Vicksburg Campaign. Time Life Books,1985
• The Battle of Vicksburg, http//www.civilwarhome.c
  om/battleofvicksburg.htm
• Vicksburg National Park Website,
  http//www.nps.gov/vick/
• http//www.civilwaralbum.com/vicksburg/thayers_app
  roach3.htm
• http//atlanta.creativeloafing.com/2002-11-27/trav
  el.html
• http//usa-civil-war.com/West/Vicksburg/vicksburg_
  4.html
• http//www.rotaryeclubone.org/programs/On20The20
  Road/chapter25_spec.htm