When was vicksburg founded

Incorporated in , Vicksburg went on to become a major port and commercial center on the river. One of the best known American cities of the 19th century, it was a major stop for paddlewheel riverboats making their way up and down the Mississippi River and was noted for its stores and luxurious homes and hotels. Future Confederate President Jefferson Davis began his political career in Vicksburg when he spoke on the grounds of what is now the Old Courthouse Museum.

He went on to become a U. Senator and Secretary of War before assuming his duties as the only President of the Confederacy. When the Civil War erupted in , it quickly became evident that Vicksburg would become a critical strategic point. The city's location on the commanding bluffs overlooking a sharp bend of the Mississippi River made it an obvious point for the erection of artillery batteries by the Southern army.

As Union armies and navies pushed their way up and down the Mississippi River as part of a grand strategy to strangle the Confederacy, Vicksburg stood in their way. Several campaigns against the city failed for one reason or another until finally, in , General Ulysses S.

Grant landed tens of thousands of soldiers downriver near Port Gibson and swung in behind Vicksburg after fighting Confederate forces at Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson and other locations. Grant launched two major efforts to storm the city, but was driven back by determined Confederate defenders. He then laid siege to Vicksburg, surrounding the city with trenches and artillery batteries. Tens of thousands of cannonballs and shells rained on the city and its defenders during the day siege and the citizens of Vicksburg were forced to dig tunnels in order to escape the falling bombs.

By the end of the siege, many were living on mules, rats and any other animals they could find. Confederate General John Pemberton surrendered on July 4, , and the forces of General Grant marched into the city and raised the U.

Vicksburg remained in Union hands for the rest of the Civil War. Vicksburg became an important exchange center at the end of the war, where prisoners were released and allowed to return home. By February, seven states had seceded. Control of the Mississippi River was a strategic objective of the Northern and Southern armies.

Simultaneous Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg in July marked a decisive turning point in the Civil War. The crossroads of river, rail, and highway at Vicksburg, combined with imposing defenses and a critical strategic objective, produced one of the most complex and protracted engagements of the Civil War, and involved joint operations between the army and navy; overland and over-water troop movements; and tactics of diversion, siege, and defense.

The monuments at Vicksburg comprise one of the largest collections of significant commemorative military art in the United States, and, indeed, one of the most extensive collections of such art in the world. Representing the states involved, the monuments and memorials, with their varied symbolism, commemorate the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg. After a period of intermittent bombardment from the river, Farragut conceded that he could not run his fleet past the "Gibraltar of the Mississippi.

Farragut withdrew his ships and returned to New Orleans. Farragut arrived off Vicksburg again on June 25, with a force including 3, troops on transports and several mortar schooners designed to bombard the elevated shore batteries. The following two days of bombardment marked the city's first concentrated assault and provided her first casualties.

The bombardment was only the beginning of continuing strife for the residents of Vicksburg. During the historic Siege of Vicksburg, the citizens of Vicksburg and her defenders began living in caves dug out of the hillsides, conducting their daily business as well as possible The siege caves of Vicksburg have long remained one of the most unique aspects of the city.

On July 1, , General Pemberton met with his commanders regarding the prospect of being relieved or fighting their way out of the besieged city of Vicksburg. Two days later Generals Grant and Pemberton met in the afternoon to discuss surrender. Grant's final terms stopped short of unconditional surrender, with a major point being that 30, Confederates in Vicksburg would be paroled rather than imprisoned.

Pemberton officially accepted the terms around midnight. The next morning, a victorious Union army marched into Vicksburg following the forty-seven day siege.

This park, now a member of the National Park System, commemorates and preserves the infamous siege line and the historic heritage of Vicksburg. Considered by many to be one of America's most beautiful national memorials, it is the final resting place for 17, Union soldiers, 13, of whom are unknown. With the final surrender of the Confederate States of America, the North tried to stabilize local conditions. President Lincoln's wishes to reunite the nation with forgiveness, understanding and welcome for the Southern states, died with him.

The South's reconstruction under the new President, Andrew Johnson, was harsh and stories of individual states and cities were similar.. Vicksburg pressed forward during this trying period.

The levee system, vital to river communities, was rebuilt with the return of the Army Corps of Engineers. Land was returned to planting and harvests were shipped to market towns. The rebirth of the steam boat industry, which made a remarkably rapid comeback, was a vital component of Vicksburg's "rebirth.

In April 26, , the Mississippi River accomplished what the Union army could not accomplish 13 years prior -- the river cut across DeSoto peninsula, breaking DeSoto Point and destroying what was left of the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Texas railroad terminal and ferry. This break effectively cut off the east-west rail line. More importantly, it left the river port of Vicksburg with no river.

The economic effect on the city was devastating. The change in the river course helped change Vicksburg's course.