The End In Sight

After 47 days under siege, Vicksburg could end only in surrender or a dramatic rescue. Inside the city, General Pemberton faced harsh realities: one third of his troops were too sick to fight, their drinking water was contaminated, and they were short of food and ammunition, while Union troops and cannon completely surrounded them. A final message from General Johnston said his army in central Mississippi was too weak to relieve Vicksburg. Pemberton then asked Grant for surrender terms. Grant did not want to feed 30,000 prisoners of war or transport so many men north to prison camps, so he offered to let Vicksburg’s defenders go home if they promised not to fight against the United States again until exchanged. Pemberton accepted the terms. On July 4, 1863, the Confederates handed over their guns, and Union troops marched victoriously into the city.

Vicksburg, Mississippi · United States