Transportation Technology: Lessons from the Campaign for Vicksburg
Abstract
The need for operational planners to realistically consider the vulnerability of sealift and airlift transportation resources in campaign planning in today's changing world is underscored through historical analysis of Grant's first Vicksburg campaign. This unsuccessful bid for this Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River relied nearly completely on clear rail lines of communication. Through Grant's failure to consider the nature of his enemy, rail lines and supply bases were left virtually unprotected to free-up combat forces for the campaign. Forced to call off the operation when raiding Confederate cavalry penetrated behind his lines and destroyed his supply base and railways, he realized, in retreat, that the countryside provided abundant resources to enable his army to live off the land. Thus, sustainment alternatives existed that would enable him to succeed in capturing Vicksburg. The conclusions that can be drawn from this historical analysis hold true for today. Logistics, Strategic importance, Analysis, Threat sealift, Airlift
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 08, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA279622
Entities
People
- Nicholas W. Zimmon
Organizations
- Naval War College