Troops in the Campaign, Siege, and Defense of Vicksburg

At the time of the Civil War, the Mississippi River was the single most important economic feature of the continent — the very lifeblood of America. Upon the secession of the southern states, the river was closed to unfettered navigation, threatening to strangle northern commercial interests.

President Abraham Lincoln told his civil and military leaders, "See what a lot of land these fellows hold, of which Vicksburg is the key. The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket.... We can take all the northern ports of the Confederacy, and they can defy us from Vicksburg." Lincoln assured his listeners that "I am acquainted with that region and know what I am talking about, and as valuable as New Orleans will be to us, Vicksburg will be more so."

The Vicksburg campaign was waged from March 29 to July 4, 1863. It involved over 100,000 troops engaging in battles in west-central Mississippi at Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, Big Black River, and 47 days of Union siege operations against Confederate forces defending the city of Vicksburg. Located high on the bluffs, Vicksburg was a fortress guarding the Mississippi River, and known as "The Gibraltar of the Confederacy." Its surrender on July 4, 1863, coupled with the fall of Port Hudson, Louisiana, on July 9, divided the South, and gave the North undisputed control of the Mississippi River.

The fighitng was brutal. By the end of the siege on July 4, 1863, close to 20,000 Americans would fall as casualties. Heroics would not go unnoticed. 120 Medal of Honors would be bestowed upon Union troops by the conclusion of the siege, including 96 men who would receive the honor following their efforts to take the Confederate fortifications on May 22, 1863.
 

Order of Battle

The order of battle shows the hierarchical organization, command structure, strength, disposition of personnel, and the equipment of units and formations of Civil War armies. An order of battle may change as a engagement progresses, and most are finalized from the dispatches and memoirs of the commanding officers.
 
Confederate soldiers from New Orleans standing and sitting for their picture.
Confederate Order of Battle

A listing of the Confederate military units by division, brigade and regiment, with regimental commanders.

Federal soldiers standing in front of a house with pine trees in the background.
Union Order of Battle

A listing of the Federal military units by division, brigade and regiment, with regimental commanders.

 

Confederate Troops

  • A Confederate officer in his uniform
    Alabama Troops

    A list of Confederate units from Alabama that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Confederate soldiers from Arkansas in gray uniform holding a musket with a bayonet attached
    Arkansas Troops

    A list of Confederate units from Arkansas that served during the Vicksburg campaign

  • A Confederate soldier from Florida in gray uniform jacket
    Florida Troops

    A list of Confederate units from Florida that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Confederate officer from Georgia in blue hat and uniform.
    Georgia Troops

    A list of Confederate units from Georgia that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Confederate from Kentucky holding a open book.
    Kentucky Troops

    A list of Confederate units from Kentucky that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Confederate soldier from Louisiana holding a musket across his body.
    Louisiana Troops

    A list of Confederate units from Louisiana that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A man with black suit jacket, high white color and high forehead.
    Maryland Troops

    A list of Confederate units from Maryland that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Confederate soldier from Mississippi with sunflower over right breast
    Mississippi Troops

    A list of Confederate units from Mississippi that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Confederate officer from Missouri holding his sword.
    Missouri Troops

    A list of Confederate units from Missouri that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Confederate officer from North Carolina wearing a gray uniform and cap
    North Carolina Troops

    A list of Confederate units from North Carolina that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Confederate soldier from South Carolina with two pistols tucked in his belt and musket on his left
    South Carolina Troops

    A list of Confederate units from South Carolina that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Confederate soldier in gray uniform holding his musket in front of his body
    Tennessee Troops

    A list of Confederate units from Tennessee that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Confederate soldier in gray uniform holding a pistol wearing a slouch hat.
    Texas Troops

    A list of Confederate units from Texas that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Confederate soldier with gray cap and uniform with a bowie knife in their belt.
    Virginia Troops

    A list of Confederate units from Virginia that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Confederate officer with gray jacket opened wearing glasses
    CS Regular and Unclassified Troops

    A list of Confederate regular army or unclassified units that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

 

Union Troops

  • A black and white image of a older man in black suit jacket and white button down shirt.
    Alabama Troops

    A list of Union units from Alabama that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • African American Union soldiers sitting around a cannon.
    Arkansas Troops

    A list of Union units from Arkansas that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union soldier holding the American flag across his body.
    Connecticut Troops

    A list of Union units from Connecticut that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union cavalry soldier leaning on a table holding his hat and sword.
    Illinois Troops

    A list of Union units from Illinois that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union drummer boy holding his drum.
    Indiana Troops

    A list of Union units from Indiana that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union officer with large mustache.
    Iowa Troops

    A list of Union units from Iowa that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union general with thin mustache and long, pointy beard.
    Kansas Troops

    A list of Union units from Kansas that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • Two Union flag poles with flags forming an X with a Union soldier holding them.
    Kentucky Troops

    A list of Union units from Kentucky that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A black Union sergeant wearing a slouch hat.
    Louisiana Troops

    A list of Union units from Louisiana that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union soldier sitting with his cap on the table next to him.
    Massachusetts Troops

    A list of Union units from Massachusetts that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union officer standing in uniform with his left arm behind his back.
    Michigan Troops

    A list of Union units from Michigan that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • Two Union soldiers sitting, one with his arm around the other's shoulders.
    Minnesota Troops

    A list of Union units from Minnesota that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A black soldier standing with musket at his side holding a pistol across his the front of his body.
    Mississippi Troops

    A list of Union units from Mississippi that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union officer picture of their head and bust.
    Missouri Troops

    A list of Union units from Missouri that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union soldier with his musket slung over his shoulder carrying a knapsack, canteen and haversack.
    New Hampshire Troops

    A list of Union units from New Hampshire that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union officer in uniform standing with his hand resting on the handle of his sheathed sword.
    New York Troops

    A list of Union units from New York that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union soldier laying on the floor showing his cocked musket.
    Ohio Troops

    A list of Union units from Ohio that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union officer on a white horse.
    Pennsylvania Troops

    A list of Union units from Pennsylvania that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union officer bust portrait.
    Rhode Island Troops

    A list of Union units from Rhode Island that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • Two brothers in the union army sitting for their picture with one looking at the camera.
    Tennessee Troops

    A list of Union units from Tennessee that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union officer bust portrait.
    West Virginia Troops

    A list of Union units from West Virginia that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union soldier sitting holding his musket in one hand.
    Wisconsin Troops

    A list of Union units from Wisconsin that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A young Union sailor leaning on a table draped with an American flag.
    U.S. Navy

    A list of United States Navy units that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

  • A Union general sitting side portrait.
    U.S. Regular and Unclassified Units

    A list of United States Regular and unclassified units that served during the Vicksburg campaign.

Last updated: November 2, 2019

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3201 Clay Street
Vicksburg, MS 39183

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601 636-0583

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