Ulysses S. Grant pauses to unite his Federal Army of the Tennessee before moving northeast toward the Mississippi capital of Jackson. John C. Pemberton gathers all available Confederate forces to block Grant’s path.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Ulysses S. Grant pauses to unite his Federal Army of the Tennessee before moving northeast toward the Mississippi capital of Jackson. John C. Pemberton gathers all available Confederate forces to block Grant’s path.
Ulysses S. Grant’s Federal Army of the Tennessee heads east toward the Mississippi capital of Jackson after its victory at Port Gibson. From there, Grant plans to turn west and target the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg.
Ulysses S. Grant’s Federals try pushing inland from the Mississippi River to gain a foothold on the ground south of Vicksburg. Confederates block their advance at Port Gibson.
The first phase of Ulysses S. Grant’s plan to capture Vicksburg ends successfully with his Federals poised to cross the Mississippi River below Vicksburg. But Grant needs a diversion to ensure further success.
Ulysses S. Grant positions his Federals to cross the Mississippi River below the stronghold of Vicksburg, while Confederate commander John C. Pemberton tries to determine where Grant’s main strike would be.
A fleet of transports and supply vessels tries to duplicate David D. Porter’s feat of passing the Confederate batteries at Vicksburg and joining the Federal forces downriver.