Posted on Feb 13, 2015
MAJ J5 Strategic Plans And Training Officer
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These questions will test your depth of knowledge.
1. What other battle occured during Vicksburg? Which was more significant and why?
2. When before had these two men met and what was significant about that meeting?

The answer is not obvious.
Posted in these groups: 85cf8abb Civil War
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SSG Program Control Manager
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Gettysburg is fairly well known, however there are two others that aren't as well known:

The fall of Vicksburg also demoralized Confederate forces defending Port Hudson, who surrendered shortly after Vicksburg giving the Union control of the Mississippi River.

There was also the battle of Brandy Station, the largest Cavalry conflict in US History...

They were all significant, Gettysburg... I don't think that needs explaining. Vicksburg and then Port Hudson, meant the Union controlled the Mississippi river and that the South was divided. Brandy Station meant the end of dominance of Southern Cavalry on the battlefield. I would probably rank them in that order as well.

As for previous meetings, I suspect they knew each other from the Mexican-American War, however I haven't seen any proof out there... such as correspondence between the two.
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MAJ J5 Strategic Plans And Training Officer
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Good addition to Signficance. As for the prior meeting when you find the proof it will blow your mind.
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CW5 Desk Officer
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1. Before the Union Army put a stranglehold on Vicksburg, Grant made two disastrous assaults on the city, on May 19 and 22. I think the final battle, following the siege, was more significant. Here's why, from the Vicksburg page of civilwar.org:

"In May and June of 1863, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s armies converged on Vicksburg, investing the city and entrapping a Confederate army under Lt. Gen. John Pemberton. On July 4, Vicksburg surrendered after prolonged siege operations. This was the culmination of one of the most brilliant military campaigns of the war. With the loss of Pemberton’s army and this vital stronghold on the Mississippi, the Confederacy was effectively split in half. Grant's successes in the West boosted his reputation, leading ultimately to his appointment as General-in-Chief of the Union armies. "

(This makes me think that I may be missing another Vicksburg battle, but I gave it a shot, MAJ (Join to see).)

2. During the Mexican-American War, Pemberton was a fellow staff lieutenant in the same division as his future opponent in the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant.
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MAJ J5 Strategic Plans And Training Officer
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You are 45% of the way there.
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MAJ J5 Strategic Plans And Training Officer
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I will give the answer in full after a week. I challenge everyone to look into it. It blew my mind once I knew the full answer.
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CPT Jim Denison
CPT Jim Denison
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The first attempt to capture Vicksburg in summer 1862 is sometimes called the First Battle of Vicksburg. It consisted of prolonged bombardment by Union naval vessels and sputtered out when the ships withdrew. At the same time, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was moving overland to invest the town from the rear. His advance ended when Brig. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s cavalry tore up his rail supply line, and Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn captured his supply base at Holly Springs.

Grant’s efforts to seize Vicksburg resumed in December but met repeated failures.
Losses and the strong Confederate defensive works convinced Grant to take the town by siege, - See more at: http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-vicksburg#sthash.sN7zuaLt.dpuf
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CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter
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You guys are getting over this sailor's head. Everybody knows the U.S. Navy saved the day when they blasted thru the Vicksburg's blockade of the Mississippi enabling Grant to attack from the east side of the river.
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MAJ J5 Strategic Plans And Training Officer
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Under the leadership of General Grant
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CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter
CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter
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General Grant asked and the Navy delivered.
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