
		The Alabama Civil War Round Table A Discussion on the American Civil War

The Alabama Civil War Round Table... established 1990 Birmingham, AL

2010-2011 ACWRT Board of Directors

The American Civil War
(1861 - 1865)

Trivia Question
Who was the "Angel of Marye's Heights"?

The answer can be found on the About Us page.

Grant Attempted to Take Vicksburg, Mississippi

General Ulysses S. Grant Attempted to Take Vicksburg, Mississippi
May 19, 1863

This colorful lithograph recounts the 1863 battle at Vicksburg that took place on water and land

Vicksburg, Mississippi, was an important, well-protected fortress for the Confederate Army during the Civil War. On May 19, 1863, Union General Ulysses S. Grant attacked Vicksburg--a direct assault with intent to take over the city. The Union navy had already prevented other regiments from joining Confederate General C. Pemberton at Vicksburg, but the Southern city held strong that day. Grant, however, did not stop there.

This song from 1863, the "Never Surrender Quick Step," was dedicated to the defenders of glorious Vicksburg

Grant settled down to a six-week siege, surrounding the city, cutting off supply lines, firing upon Vicksburg continually, and moving in so close that, at some points, Union and Confederate soldiers held their lines within shouting distance. By mid-June, 80,000 Union troops camped on the Mississippi River bluffs above the city. To escape shells, Vicksburg residents left their homes for caves in the city's hills. The Union soldiers called this maze of dugouts "Prairie Dog Village." The people of the village were starving and tired but still held on to hope.

With supplies cut off, editor Swords had to print his newspaper, the Daily Citizen, on the back of wallpaper

By the forty-fourth day, with no supplies coming into town, the editor of Vicksburg's Daily Citizen was reduced to printing the news on wallpaper. He wrote that General Ulysses S. Grant wished to celebrate the Fourth of July "dining in Vicksburg." Little did the writer know that on July 4, 1863, Pemberton would surrender to the Union general. Finding the newspaper, Grant's men added a paragraph declaring that Grant had indeed dined in Vicksburg and celebrated Independence Day!

Return to: Civil War Stories

"Bringing the Past... to the Present"

Number of visitors: 19368