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The Mississippi Central Railroad Campaign
The Civil War in north Mississippi November/December 1862 First Push for Vicksburg |
North and Central
Mississippi
From Corinth to Vicksburg
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The High Command
in the West
Union General
Ulysses S. Grant and Confederate General John C. Pemberton. Both native
northerners, fellow West Point graduates, comrades in the Mexican War, and now,
in the winter of 1862, adversaries in the American Civil War.
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In
November of 1862 General Ulysses S. Grant began his Mississippi Central
Railroad Campaign -- the first overland push into Mississippi with the goal of
capturing Vicksburg. By the fall of 1862 north Mississippi was securely in the hands of the Union army after key, yet costly, wins at Shiloh, Iuka, and Corinth. Grant's first strategy for Vicksburg was a dual advance with General William
Tecumseh Sherman, who would follow the river route south. Grant hoped to stall the Confederate army near Grenada and allow Sherman to take Vicksburg with little resistance, or if possible, he would push Pemberton to "the gates of Vicksburg" as he moved his army down the main rail line through the heart of Mississippi, capturing the towns and rail along the way, and then meet with Sherman, who would provide the second punch arriving to the north of
Vicksburg from Memphis. They, along with the Federal navy, would surround and
capture the city, thus dividing the Confederacy and ultimately leading to the
restoration of the Union. But gaining Vicksburg would prove much more
difficult.
Learn
how Confederate raids, bad weather, and political and military bickering among
the Union leadership foiled Grant’s first push into the heart of Dixie.
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Confederate Enfield
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Union Sharps Rifle
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Part One: Vicksburg is the Key Lincoln and the war department plan the initial Vicksburg campaign.
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Part Two: Grant Moves South Grant
implements his Mississippi Central Railroad Campaign.
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Part Three: The Battle of
Coffeeville A surprise ambush stops Grant. |
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Part Four: The Campaign
Stalls The
loss at Coffeeville and Union indecision leads to disaster. |
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Part Five: Confederate Raids Grant’s
supply base is destroyed, communications are cut, and the railroad campaign ends. |
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Part Six: Grant Retreats
to Memphis New
strategy is formed as Grant takes firm control of the army. |
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Part Seven: The river
assault, siege, and fall of Vicksburg. Grant wins
the war in the west. |
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Thanks for stopping by! Please visit the links above for more information on the Civil War in Mississippi. If you have information, questions, or notice inaccuracies at this site please email me.
My very best thanks go to so many friends who have helped me along this discovery trail. I dedicate this page to all of them, and the brave soldiers -- North and South -- who devoted their lives to the American Civil War -- the defining point of our nation.
Extra special thanks go to two fine friends who have shown me the way with web sites. Ron Wallace, a descendent of a 4th Illinois soldier, and Dave Habura, a desendant of a 7th Kansas cavalry soldier. Ron, you have been a most excellent friend and there are no words I can use here to adequately express my appreciation for all of your patience, and the knowledge you have shared. And Dave, your 7th Kansas cavalry site opened a whole new world of information to me. It started it all. Thanks Dave. Fletcher would be proud. (See "Links Section" below for links to Ron's 4th Illinois site, and Dave's 7th Kansas site.)
And to Sid Bondurant. He's been the chair of every major Civil War board in Missisippi, our most noted historian, and a great friend to me. Luckily we only live 20 minutes apart and have spent countless hours exploring maps, diaries, and actual battle sites. It's continues to be a great journey.
I would also like to thank my friends in Illinois who have provided so much information, and so many new paths of opportunity for my research. Matt, Jim, Mary, Eugene, Steve, Marilyn, Carolyn, William, Robert, Ken, Scott, friends at the Wills County courthouse, the people of Ottawa, and on and on. Thanks for a fabulous trip through your state. And also to the family of P. O. Avery (formerly of Earlville) who have been most gracious in their help.
And to my other great friends, locally, who have shown so much hospitality and generousity to me. Out of respect for the privacy of the landowners I will not mention them here, but their kindness has been greatly appreciated. I would ask that everyone respect their rights as landowners concerning the battle and camp sites in our area.
And to Bill Finch, Barry Hamilton, and the others who help me keep my computer running right. Their expertise enabled me to do this page efficiently.
Thanks again for stopping by. Email me with any new information or questions.
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