Map showing events between march 31 and july 4 leading to the siege of vicksburg along the mississippi river where grant’s march surrounded confederate defenses. the siege of vicksburg is dated may 18 through july 4.

by u. s. national park service, restoration/cleanup by matt holly [public domain], via wikimedia commons

what was the strategic significance of the siege of vicksburg?

The Battle Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, was the end of a long land and naval military campaign by Union forces to capture a key strategic position during the American Civil War.

This strategic town is situated on a 200-foot bluff above the Mississippi River, where the river traffic could be monitored. Capturing the town cut the Trans-Mississippi Confederacy transit from the east of the Mississippi River and open the river to Northern traffic.