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Vicksburg, Mississippi during the American Civil War was known as the Gibraltar of the south. It is situated on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi river in the state of Mississippi just west of Jackson the state capital.
The side that controlled Vicksburg had command of the river. If the Union gained control than it would effectively cut the south in half and seriously affect supplies coming up the river and from the west.
The decisive final battle would take place in July but was much longer than just a few days in July. In fact it started in March of 1863. Before it was over the citizens and defenders would suffer the worst of conditions and hardships with little or no hope of escape.
A great link for more in depth information about Vicksburg is listed below:
http://www.nps.gov/archive/vick/home.htm. It is the link to the National Park Service web site for Vicksburg National Battlefield Park.
A very useful link for information about places to stay while in Vicksburg and reviews about how others viewed their visit to the National Military park click through below.
http://www.trivago.co.uk/vicksburg-34695/monument-memorial/vicksburg-national-military-park-151350
Part of the Union strategy called for running the forts of the Vicksburg on the Mississippi River by naval gunboats. After one was damaged the heavy artillery from the gunboat was removed and brought ashore. This piece represents the site from which they were used.
During the siege it was the one spot during the battle that sailors fought shore manning this battery of guns and taking part in the siege from shore.
This view was shot from the Union lines toward the Confederate lines. During the Civil War these trees and brush were not present.
Using the CCC during 1930's these trees were planted. Part of the restoration plan is to remove the trees and return the park to the state it was in during the battle.
From this vantage point the northern gunners had clear view of their opposite number.