The Vicksburg Campaign of 1863: A Joint Operation

Abstract

Abstract : The Vicksburg Campaign of 1863 was conducted as a joint operation that involved forces of the United States Army, the United States Navy, and the United States Marine Corps. Additionally, during the Vicksburg Campaign military forces from both the active and reserve components, of that time, were utilized to conduct combat operations against the Confederate Army. The Vicksburg Campaign of 1863 can serve as a historical case study of early Joint Operations with relevant lessons for today. The Vicksburg Campaign of 1863 is justified in being called a Joint Operation for several reasons. The campaign, and the series of battles of which it consisted, was planned and executed by forces of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. Many of these forces conducted combat operations while under the command of a single Joint Force Commander. Additionally, a simplified version of the Joint Operations Planning Process was used by the commanders of the Land Force Component and the Maritime Component. During the campaign Joint Fires, Joint Intelligence, Joint Communication, and Joint Logistics were conducted in support of combat operations. Finally, both the Army and Navy commanders were given Coordinating Authority to conduct Joint Operations by their respective chains of command. The campaign to capture Vicksburg is one of the most daring in American military history. The commanders of both the Army and Naval forces were convinced that only by acting jointly could the campaign succeed. Today, the military forces of the United States are committed by law and by doctrine to operating jointly, with an integrated force of both active and reserve components. We can learn much from General Grant and Admiral Porter about embracing the spirit of cooperation and teamwork that is needed to fight and win with such a joint force.