The Chickasaw Bayou Campaign.
Abstract
This study investigates the decisive factors that affected the Chickasaw Bayou Campaign, General Ulysses S. Grant's first effort to seize Vicksburg. By December 1962 Grant's forces had fought into north central Mississippi. Simultaneously, Major General John A. McClernand had convinced President Lincoln to allow him to command an independent amphibious force to operate on the Mississippi against Vicksburg. Grant hastily organized his own river expedition under Major General William T. Sherman to seize Vicksburg. The resulting campaign ended in the repulse of Union forces at Chickasaw Bayou. At the strategic level the threat of the amphibious force under McClernand decisively affected Grant's ongoing campaign. The Confederate reorganization of the western command structure was instrumental to Confederate success. Confederate battle tactics were characterized by a strong sense of urgency and excellent generalship. Grant concluded from the campaign that fixed lines of communications were unnecessary in supplying his army. The Confederates were lulled into a false sense of security which ultimately contributed to their defeat at Vicksburg.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 07, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA240275
Entities
People
- Gray M. Gildner
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College