Framed Siege of Vicksburg by Howard Pyle

The Siege of Vicksburg by Howard Pyle depicts a dramatic moment during the Siege of Vicksburg during the American Civil war. The Siege of Vicksburg (May 18 – July 4, 1863) was a decisive Union victory during the American Civil War, often considered a turning point alongside Gettysburg. Vicksburg, Mississippi, was a heavily fortified Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River, controlling vital supply lines and splitting the Union’s western territories from the east. Capturing it was essential for the Union to regain control of the river and sever the Confederacy in two. Major General Ulysses S. Grant led the Union Army of the Tennessee in a brilliant and relentless campaign to take Vicksburg. After months of maneuvering—crossing swamps, diverting rivers, and winning battles at places like Champion Hill and Big Black River—Grant’s forces surrounded the city by mid-May 1863. Unable to take Vicksburg by direct assault (two failed attempts on May 19 and 22 cost many lives), Grant opted for a siege. For 47 days, Union forces bombarded the city with artillery and naval gunboats, while cutting off supplies. Inside, Confederate General John C. Pemberton’s 30,000 troops and the civilian population endured starvation, disease, and constant shelling. Residents resorted to living in caves dug into hillsides to escape the bombardment. On July 4, 1863, with his army and the city’s inhabitants on the brink of collapse, Pemberton surrendered to Grant. The Union captured Vicksburg, taking 29,000 Confederate prisoners and opening the Mississippi River to Union control. This victory, paired with Lee’s defeat at Gettysburg the previous day, marked a shift in momentum toward the Union.