The Siege of Vicksburg: Climax of the Campaign to Open the Mississippi River, May 23-July 4, 1863 by Timothy B. Smith

Abstract

Reviewed by: The Siege of Vicksburg: Climax of the Campaign to Open the Mississippi River, May 23-July 4, 1863 by Timothy B. Smith Jim Woodrick (bio) The Siege of Vicksburg: Climax of the Campaign to Open the Mississippi River, May 23-July 4, 1863. By Timothy B. Smith. (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2021. Pp. 752. $50.00 cloth) As the sun rose on July 4, 1863, the prospects were for another hot and humid day, just as so many days that had already passed for the two armies at Vicksburg. This day was different, however, as the constant roar of rifle and cannon had ceased, replaced by an eerie calm which settled over the battlefield. The sudden quiet was due to the surrender of Confederate Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton's Army of Vicksburg to Ulysses S. Grant after six weeks of siege warfare. With [End Page 328] the Union victory at Vicksburg, Pemberton's army was captured, and the Mississippi River was open once again, splitting the Confederacy in two. As the battered defenders marched out of their trenches and stacked arms, an Indiana soldier noted that "it was one of the most solemn and affecting scenes I have ever beheld" (p. 490). This account is but one of many ably recorded by Timothy B. Smith in his monumental work, The Siege of Vicksburg: Climax of the Campaign to Open the Mississippi River, May 23–July 4, 1863. Over the years, military operations in the eastern theater of the Civil War have received a great deal more attention from historians than events in the western theater. In particular, the Vicksburg Campaign, which is arguably the most decisive of the Civil War, has only in recent years seen an increase in scholarly studies, all building on the foundation of Edwin C. Bearss's classic three-volume history, originally published in 1985. Among those who have worked to address this disparity, Smith stands out, both in his writing ability and productivity, as he has already published extensively on various aspects of the Vicksburg Campaign and the war in the West. Smith's latest book follows a previous and equally monumental work on the Union assaults at Vicksburg on May 19 and May 22, published in 2020. Combined, these two volumes constitute the most complete study of the military operations in front of Fortress Vicksburg to date. Although lengthy, The Siege of Vicksburg is a thoroughly entertaining read, as Smith's narrative includes numerous personal accounts from soldiers and civilians alike. At the same time, the book provides plenty of detail for those interested in the intricacies of military engineering and troop movements, both within the siege lines and along Grant's exterior defenses. While much of the narrative is by necessity an overview of very complex operations, especially several wide-ranging probes and expeditions north of Vicksburg initiated with the intent to counter any supposed threat from Joseph E. Johnston's "Army of Relief," the majority of the book properly focuses on the siege operations themselves. Smith gives particular attention to Ewing's and Logan's approaches in front of [End Page 329] the Stockade Redan complex and the 3rd Louisiana Redan, respectively, and paints an especially vivid picture of the June 25 mine explosion along the Jackson Road. Not forgotten is the vital role of the U.S. Navy's constant bombardment of the city and the effect it had on the morale of Vicksburg's residents, both slave and free, nor does the author ignore the role the Navy played in supplying Grant's army with an abundance of supplies during the siege. Although the complexity and length of the siege of Vicksburg could easily fill multiple volumes, Smith has delivered an instant classic with his one-volume treatment, and it will no doubt be the standard reference for many years to come. For anyone interested in the Civil War in Mississippi and the overall campaign for control of the Mississippi Valley region, The Siege of Vicksburg: Climax of the Campaign to Open the Mississippi River is a must read. Jim Woodrick JIM WOODRICK is retired from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. A licensed battlefield...