Why Didn't the Confederates Relieve Vicksburg?

The surrender of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863 split the Confederacy in half and is often considered a turning point of the American Civil War. But if Vicksburg was so strategically vital, why didn't Confederate leadership do more to relieve the siege and save the city?

A relief attempt WAS made, but it amounted to too little, too late. A more aggressive plan to save Vicksburg was debated at length in Richmond but never enacted. Would that plan have worked? And who was the key figure who opposed it? The Little Wars TV crew travels to Mississippi to explore this fascinating moment in Civil War history. Join us the entire month of July for an incredible "what if" wargaming experience and multiple battlefield tours!

It all starts July 4, 2023! Subscribe to never miss a wargame with us.

[nicholaswalsh]

Grant as a general honestly deserves better recognition among the general public. He is arguably one of the best generals in American history, the only American to force the surrender of THREE enemy armies and a general who could even turn defeat into opportunity.

[iratespartan]

I think Vicksburg features Grant's operational acumen. Henry and Donelson his tactical skill and the final campaign showed he could put together a war winning strategic plan as well. Grant won at all three levels. Something no one else did in that war.

[nathanieltraynor]

PIERRE GUSTAV TUTANT BEAUREGARD really rolls off the tongue

[severuslupus]

Really happy to see you guy's cover Grant's Ulm, the most brilliant campaign ever fought on American soil.

[Eruidraith]

Oh wow!!! You guys were RIGHT down the road from me!!! That's so cool! I love the Vicksburg battle park. It's really great. I love that you can walk/drive the old earthworks reconstructed with cannons

[WargamesTonight]

A captivating 'what if' played by the engaging 'Grognards' of LWTV. Looking forward to this one!

[totalburnout]

I'm curious. And the question what would have happened if Lee's army had lacked Longstreet's troops...

[jacksaell]

Look forward to more videos on this topic from you guys! Grew up in Mississippi and used to spend my summers at the military park:)

[elliotlane]

Great background piece. Love how you guys give the context in an entertaining way. Looking forward to the 4 July game on an operational scale.

[get_the_lead_out]

If you guys ever decide to take a trip to the Shiloh battlefield, drop me a line - I’m just a couple hours away in Memphis. Brice’s Crossroads and Corinth are also just down the street, and there is an interactive museum in Corinth. There is so much ACW history throughout Tennessee - it is second only to Virginia in the number of engagements fought. I hope you guys will consider publishing an ACW expansion to the LFOD rules - I’m sure you would get a lot of takers!

[stefancarter]

I’m really excited for this. I’m working on the Vicksburg campaign for the Altar of Freedom rules at the moment. Just slugging my way through all those brigades.

[davidharper]

The answer is Grant’s use of combined arms, a naval flotilla of gunboats and a large force of infantry.

[jaredmolberg]

Informative and entertaining as always, this is great content fellas. 👍🏻

[timehrat]

Illinois Memorial Monument largest there, my ancestor fought with the 47th ill vol inf company A Jhon t Bowen. my great grandma got to talk to him, but she said he never said anything abought the war other than he hated the heat.

[adamkoslin]

Can't Love your guys' ACW content.

[MrFlyXwire]

Great lead-in video on an excellent battlefield park here in the 'West'. I recognize the Altar Of Freedom Vicksburg Campaign map board shown (looks great) - will this upcoming strategic game be a stand-alone system now, or to use Greg's [standard] Gibraltar of the West generation system (ultimately for generating tabletop games)? Would almost like the strategic game board to have the option of playing out unto itself (without needing to stage the pitch-battles as generated). In any case, looking forward to the next video(s) coming!

[davidfinch]

If you simulate what would have happened if Hood and or Picket was sent west, you should also at least discuss what would have happened in the east with all of those veteran troops missing.

[travisbayles]

Vicksburg is the nail that holds the Souths two halves together

President Jefferson Davis
Confederate States of America

[YOUPIMatin]

Thanks for making non-US discover this very armerican war ( and others! )

[HistoryBoy-uinb]

Question: Will all of Pickett’s original division (Spring 1863 setup) be in play or will it only be Pickett's Gettysburg/June 1863 setup? In particular, will Pickett's division have Course's Brigade and Jenkins' Brigade?
Also, I wish to share that my 4xgrandfather's brother on my grandfather's mother side was in the 17th SCV. He and his reigment, part of Evans’s Brigade, was transfered from the defenses of Charleston, South Carolina to Johnson's Army of Relief.