Campaigns for Vicksburg 1862-63

This study of the Battle of Vicksburg offers “a thorough campaign history . . . and 30 instructional leadership vignettes” by a Citadel tactical officer (Military Review).

Considered by many historians to be the truly decisive battle of the Civil War, Vicksburg is fascinating on many levels. A focal point of both western armies, the campaign of maneuver that finally isolated the Confederates in the city was masterful. The Navy’s contribution to the Union victory was significant. The human drama of Vicksburg’s beleaguered civilian population is compelling, and the Confederate cavalry dashes that first denied the Union victory are thrilling. But the key to the federal victory at Vicksburg was simply better leadership. It is this aspect of the campaign thatThe Campaigns for Vicksburg, 1862–1863 seeks to explore.

The first section of this book familiarizes the reader with the challenges, characteristics, and styles associated with leadership during the Civil War in general. It also outlines the Vicksburg campaign, from the failed attempts at capture to the brilliant maneuvers and logistics that allowed Grant to ultimately lay siege. The second section of the book contains thirty “leadership vignettes” that span the actions of the most senior leaders down to those of individual soldiers. Each vignette explains the action in terms of leadership lessons learned and concludes with a short list of “take-aways” to crystallize the lessons for the reader.

This study covers many of the Civil War’s most famous commanders who vied for the Rebel “Gibraltar on the Mississippi” and reveals important lessons on decision-making that still apply to this day.