1. Vicksburg
Jackson

2. Grant Changes Plan
Success at Raymond convinces Grant to shift his focus from the Confederate railroads to the capitol of Jackson
Will allow him to isolate Vicksburg from reinforcements under Johnston

3. Central Position
Grant takes advantage of “central position” between Confederates at Edwards and Jackson
“If an army can be emplaced between segments of a larger force, it has an improved likelihood of defeating these reduced elements and thus by extension the entire force overall.”
Requires audacity

4. Central Position
“Because he did not know the strength of the Confederate force he would confront, Grant decided he required his whole army to attack Jackson. This scheme meant he would be turning his back on Pemberton. Grant calculated carefully: Nothing Pemberton had done so far indicated that he was an aggressive leader; consequently, Grant believed he could deal with Jackson and return to fight Pemberton before that general realized what was afoot. It was an audacious plan of Napoleonic vision….

5. Central Position
…. By virtue of careful logistical preparation followed by rapid marching, Grant had achieved the central position Napoleon cherished. Having interposed his army between the two Confederate wings, Grant intended to use the central position in Napoleonic style by defeating one wing and then countermarching to defeat the other before the two wings could cooperate.”
James Arnold, Grant Wins the War, 136

6. Isolation of Vicksburg
Will allow Grant to “isolate” Pemberton from support from Johnson
Isolate:
A tactical task given to a unit to seal off (both physically and psychologically) an enemy from his sources of support, to deny an enemy freedom of movement, and prevent an enemy unit from having contact with other enemy forces. (FM )

7. Battle of Jackson May 14, 1863
Jackson served as a major strategic site:
Capital of Mississippi
Closest major city to Vicksburg
Railroads and major highways
Machine shops and factories
Telegraph lines

8. Battle of Jackson May 14, 1863 After Raymond, Grant divides his forces
McPherson’s corps moves north through Raymond to Clinton
Sherman pushes northeast through Raymond to Mississippi Springs.

9. Battle of Jackson May 14, 1863
Having forces in Clinton (west of Jackson) gives Grant a positional advantage
Cut-off Vicksburg from aiding Jackson.
Secured multiple avenues of attack for the Union

10. Battle of Jackson May 14, 1863
Jefferson Davis orders Johnston to Jackson to salvage the rapidly deteriorating situation
Johnston arrives May 13
He immediately wired President Davis saying, “I am too late” and orders the city evacuated

11. Battle of Jackson May 14, 1863
Johnston’s decision was overly hasty and reflected his overall defensive mindset
He probably at least could have held Grant long enough for Pemberton to move forward and hit Grant’s rear
Instead, Johnston “usually preferred retreating to fighting”
Michael Ballard, Vicksburg, National Park Civil War Series, p. 36
Johnston will be controversially removed from command for his defensive response to Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign

12. Offensive What’s all this say about the principle of war of offensive?
Offensive operations are essential to maintain the freedom of action necessary for success, exploit vulnerabilities, and react to rapidly changing situations and unexpected developments.
Offensive actions are those taken to dictate the nature, scope, and tempo of an operation.
Offensive action is key to achieving decisive results; it is the essence of successful operations.

13. Central Position
But what quenched whatever little offensive flair Johnston may have had was Grant’s central position
Johnston’s full assessment was
“I arrived this evening, finding the enemy’s force between this place [Jackson] and General Pemberton, cutting off communication. I am too late.”

14. Battle of Jackson May 14, 1863
Brigadier General John Gregg is left to fight a delaying action
Gregg assisted by bad weather
Heavy rain muddied the road toward Jackson and ruined Federal ammunition.
Slows Federal advance and gives Confederates time to withdraw
At 2:00 pm, Gregg learns Confederate supply train has left Jackson and decides to withdraw his force
Federals enter Jackson at 3:00 pm on the 14th

15. Battle of Jackson May 14, 1863
Grant neutralizes Jackson militarily by:
burning the machine shops and factories
cutting telegraph lines
destroying railroad tracks
Jackson became known as “Chimneyville”
With Vicksburg isolated, Grant begins his move west
Sets up the decisive battle of Champion Hill

16. Next
Champion Hill and the Big Black River