Key Facts
- Dates
- December 26–29, 1862
- Campaign
- Vicksburg Campaign
- Result
- Confederate victory
- Union commander
- Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman
- Confederate commander
- Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton
Strategic Narrative Overview
On December 26, three Union divisions disembarked at Johnson's Plantation on the Yazoo River. Over the following days, Sherman's forces pushed through difficult swampy terrain toward the heavily defended Walnut Hills. Attempts on December 28 to outflank Confederate positions failed. On December 29, Sherman ordered a frontal assault that was repulsed with heavy Union casualties, after which he withdrew his forces.
01 / The Origins
In late 1862, Union forces sought to seize Vicksburg, Mississippi, a strategically vital Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant planned a two-pronged approach: a land advance south and an amphibious assault via the Yazoo River led by Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman. The goal was to capture the bluffs northeast of Vicksburg, breaking Confederate control of the river corridor.
03 / The Outcome
The Confederate defenders under Pemberton successfully repulsed Sherman's assault, inflicting heavy casualties and forcing a Union withdrawal. Combined with the Confederate victory against Grant at Holly Springs, this defeat frustrated Grant's initial direct strategy against Vicksburg. The Union would need to devise new approaches before eventually capturing the city in July 1863 after a prolonged siege.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman.
Side B
1 belligerent
Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.