The bloodiest and deadliest war in American history, the Civil War (1861-1865), was the turning point that would either release the slaves or keep the slaves in slavery. "Over 10,000 military engagements took place during the war, 40% of them in Virginia and Tennessee" (Cited - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War). It was named the Civil War because it was fought between the Northern (Union) and Southern (Confederate) States of the United States. This war was unique because family members could be fighting against each other, depending on where they lived. Furthermore, on their off-time, they might've spoken with each other, and then battled each other an hour or so later.
The fear of Southern slave holders having too much political power began them to believe that the United States would slowly convert over to a total slave holding country. On the South's side, they feared that the Northern States would take away their ability to have slaves. Adding to the pressure were the arrival of two new States. "Kansas and Missouri were added, the Southern factions felt that slavery should be allowed in these new territories, while the "Free Soldiers" were against it" (Cited - http://www.legendsofamerica.com/AH-CivilWar.html).
There were many major battles during the Civil War, which all had important purposes, but the Battle of Vicksburg, also known as the Siege of Vicksburg stands out dramatically. The Battle of Vicksburg consisted of two attacks (May 19 and May 22), while the first was a fail for the Union, and then the second was a success. The Union was led by Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, while the Confederates were led by Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton. The Unions plan for Vicksburg was to capture it so that they could gain complete control of the Mississippi river. This was part of their Anaconda Plan.
Before the battle, Pemberton knew Grant was coming, so he slowly started moving backwards into the well-fortified city of Vicksburg. He burned bridges and took everything edible in his path: animals, plants, etc. Pemberton had to seek Vicksburg because it was a well-fortified city, and because he had lost more than three quarters of his cavalry in previous battles. Therefore, he needed to gain some major defensive locations or prepare to be outflanked. Vicksburg was his best opportunity to beat Maj. Gen. Grant's army. Michael J. Ballard reflects on the experience: "Pemberton, trying to please Jefferson Davis, who insisted that Vicksburg and Port Hudson must be held, and to please Johnston, who thought both places worthless militarily, had been caught in the middle, a victim of a convoluted command system and his own indecisiveness. Too dispirited to think clearly, he chose to back his bedraggled army into Vicksburg rather than evacuate the city and head north where he might have escaped to campaign again. When he chose to take his army into Vicksburg, Pemberton sealed the fate of his troops and the city he had been determined to defend" (Cited - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vicksburg).
"As the Union forces approached Vicksburg, Pemberton could put only 18,500 troops in his lines. Grant had over 35,000, with more on the way" (Cited - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vicksburg). Although Pemberton had an advantage with the terrain, Grant had advantage with numbers. His troops far out-numbered those of Pemberton. The battle field for Vicksburg ran about 6.5miles long, with hills, fences, and all kinds of terrain that would help the Confederates.
"Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Union Army of the Tennessee brought three corps to the battle: the XIII Corps, under Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand; the XV Corps, under Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman; and the XVII Corps, under Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson. Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton's Confederate Army of Mississippi inside the Vicksburg line consisted of four divisions, under Maj. Gens. Carter L. Stevenson, John H. Forney, Martin L. Smith, and John S. Bowen" (Cited - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vicksburg).
Grant wanted to put a lot of pressure on the Confederates right from the beginning of the battle so that they wouldn't get fully organized to launch an overwhelming counter attack. Therefore, Grant ordered an assault for May 19th, against the Stockade Regan. This was a very hard assault because of the terrain involved. Sherman's brigade had to obstacle over a 6 ft. deep, 8 ft. wide ditch, and climb a steep hill before being able to attack the 17 ft. high walls of Regan. Their attacks failed, so Grant ordered a bombardment of artillery to weaken their defenses at around 2 p.m. After the artillery did its job, Sherman's troops tried again; however, only a few were able to get past the wall and fight against the Confederates inside. This loss put down the Unions confidence and morale. Casualties included 157 dead, 777 wounded, and 8 missing, whereas the Confederate's casualties included 8 killed and 62 wounded. This was a very big margin that could prove to be costly.
May 19th Map -
Major General Grant planned another assault for the 22nd of May; however, this time he planned it more carefully to be able to defeat the Southerners. "They would first reconnoiter thoroughly and soften up the defenses with artillery and naval gunfire. The lead units were supplied with ladders to ascend the fortification walls. Grant did not want a long siege, and this attack was to be by the entire army across a wide front" (Cited - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vicksburg). Although the Union suffered many casualties a couple days before, their hopes were high for this next engagement. They were well-fed with things that they had foraged and well-rested for the upcoming battle. "On seeing Grant pass by, a soldier commented, "Hardtack." Soon all Union troops in the vicinity were yelling, "Hardtack! Hardtack!" The Union served hardtack, beans, and coffee the night of May 21. Everyone expected that Vicksburg would fall the next day" (Cited - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vicksburg). Daniel A. Ramsdell tells his story: "As our line of battle started and before our yell had died upon the air the confederate fortifications in our front were completely crowded with the enemy, who with an answering cry of defiance, poured into our ranks, one continuous fire of musketry, and the forts and batteries in our front and both sides, were pouring in to our line, an unceasing fire of shot and shell, with fearful results, as this storm of fire sent us, intermixed with the bursting shells and that devilish rebel yell, I could compare to nothing but one of Dante's pictures of Hell, a something too fearful to describe" (Cited - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vicksburg). Sherman attacked once again on the Graveyard Road with his volunteer force. They were equipped with planks and ladders to bombard the Confederate walls; however, they made no progress. By 11 a.m. it was clear that they wouldn't break through the fortress without substantial help and both Sherman's and McPherson's advances were failures. Sherman immediately scheduled two more assaults for later in the day, but they had no more success than his earlier tries. "In McPherson's sector, Logan's division made another thrust down the Jackson Road at about 2 p.m., but met with heavy losses and the attack was called off. McClernand attacked again, reinforced by Quinby's division, but with no success. Union casualties were 502 killed, 2,550 wounded, and 147 missing, about evenly divided across the three corps. Confederate casualties were not reported directly, but are estimated to be under 500" (Cited - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vicksburg). "On May 25, Lt. Col. John A. Rawlins issued Special Orders No. 140 for Grant: "Corps Commanders will immediately commence the work of reducing the enemy by regular approaches. It is desirable that no more loss of life shall be sustained in the reduction of Vicksburg, and the capture of the Garrison. Every advantage will be taken of the natural inequalities of the ground to gain positions from which to start mines, trenches, or advance batteries..." (Cited - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vicksburg).
Furthermore, Union soldiers began to dig entrenchments (Referred to as "ditches" by the soldiers) around the city walls. At the same time, Union boats were pelting the city walls with artillery. Te Confederates were trapped in with no where to go. Pemberton did not want to go down easily, and was certain to stay as long as he could. However, the Confederates faced a new problem. With the summer heat and dead bodies of Union soldiers, the stench was horrible. Pemberton bargained with Grant to get his wounded and dead out of there while not being shot at. At first Grant refused, but then accepted Pemberton's offer. He refused it at first because he thought it might show a sign of weakness. After a while, Grants army started to accumulate. Soon he had around 77,000 troops around the city walls.
Moreover, Confederate troops tried to cut down Grant's supply line by attempting to take out Milliken's Bend, which was only guarded by untrained color troops who were mostly volunteer troops. The untrained troops bravely fought Maj. Gen. John G. Walker's brigade and eventually forced them back into the city; although, the defenders lost 652 to the Confederate 185.'
The Confederates were being boxed in for too long. They were getting tired and hungry. "Scurvy, diarrhea, and other diseases cut their ranks. At least one city resident had to stay up at night to keep starving soldiers out of his vegetable garden" (Cited - http://www.americancivilwar.com/vicks.html).
May 22nd Map -
Grant wanted to get into the city so he started to dig underground to blow a hole in the wall so they could get through to the other side. "Grant proceeded to mine under some of the Confederate works to blow them up. One of these, known as Fort Hill Bastion, was in front of McPherson, and on the afternoon of June 25 it was exploded with terrible effect, making a great breach, at which a fierce struggle ensued. Three days later there was another explosion, when another struggle took place" (Cited - http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/siege-vicksburg.htm).
Finally, Pemberton gave up. He had been in battle for 45 days and had made a brave struggle to stay on top. He couldn't stay cornered any longer: his men were suffering, his men were hungry, his men were tired. On July 3rd he raised the white flag to order his surrender. Grant and Pemberton met to arrange the terms of surrender, and the next day the Confederates marched out of the city. (Cited - http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/siege-vicksburg.htm)
Throughout the Battle of Vicksburg, Grant had lost 9,855 men, of whom 1,223 were dead. He had captured over 37,000 prisoners from the Southern army and had killed/wounded over 10,000 of the Confederate troops.
On the same day that troops marched out of Vicksburg, the Battle of Gettysburg was won by the Union, and this marked a major turning point in the war for the Northern United States. (Cited - http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/siege-vicksburg.htm) Eventually, the Union would go on to pummel the Southern states and finally win the war. Slaves were now officially free, even though Abraham Lincoln had released them earlier with the Emancipation Proclamation.