A map showing the extent of the confederate territories east of the mississippi river during the american civil war 18611865. The map shows state lines and capitals, major cities, forts, battle sites, and rivers in the region. The trans mississippi theater of the american civil war consists of the major military operations west of the mississippi river. A victory at the siege of vicksburg, mississippi, in 1863 gave the union control of the mississippi river in the american civil war. Each of these designated great river road interpretive centers tells part of the fascinating story of the mississippi river and the region. Civil war maps, available online, mississippi river library of. The city was defended by yet another fort fort pillow, 50 miles upriver, but this time the forts guns were supported by a fleet on the river. Mississippi river history, physical features, culture. Transmississippi theater of the american civil war. The museum is part of the civil war heritage trail and features exhibits showcasing the history of the area.
Examine the reasons behind mississippis decision to secede from the united. Great river road interpretive centers are indicated on the map by this symbol. Many more maps showing parts of louisiana in the civil war can be found in the mississippi digital map library. Its location on the mississippi river made it strategically important to both the union and the confederacy, resulting in dozens of battles as troops repeatedly clashed near mississippis key towns and cities, such as corinth, jackson, natchez, and vicksburg. May 07, 2018 this 11foot ribbon map puts the whole mississippi river in your pocket.
The civil war in the delta lower mississippi delta. Towns, rivers, lakes, railroads, and hills are shown. Louis, missouri, for 190 miles 310 km to its confluence with the ohio river at cairo, illinois. These maps show mississippi, civil war battles, and horn island pass. The mississippi river in the civil war historical marker. Mississippi in the civil war civil war trust matt atkinson of the gettysburg national military park talks about the role that his home state of mississippi played in the civil war. One of the objectives of the national civil war centennial commission was to promote the publication of. Mississippi valley campaign american civil war britannica. Mississippi river, the longest river of north america, draining with its major tributaries an area of approximately 1. Many lives were lost and they are remembered at confederate park. The civil war era bridge which spanned the river at this site was set on fire by the confederates to prevent pursuit by grants victorious army. Learn the history, battles, politics and outcomes while you cruise the mississippi where the war occurred.
Watch the action at the battle of vicksburg come to life with the civil war trusts all new animated map, featuring a compelling video presentation and interactive map of the battlefield. The mississippi river campaigns, within the trans mississippi theater of the american civil war, were a series of military actions by the union army during which union troops, helped by union navy gunboats and river ironclads, took control of the cumberland river, the tennessee river and the mississippi river, main northsouth avenues of transport. Memphis and the civil war in vintage drawing and photos. The position, an island at the base of a tight double turn in the course of the river, was held by the confederates from the early days of the war. Follow in the soldiers footsteps as your historic paddle wheeler carries you along the mississippi and its tributaries and delivers you to civil war battlefields. Historical map archive hand drawn maps of the civil war. Civil war themed us river cruises american cruise lines. Civil war battlefields along the mississippi and its. Although the vicksburg campaign encompassed much more than than the 45 mile stretch between jackson and vicksburg, two crucial civil war battles took place in this area that may very well have changed the way history reads today.
Mississippi in the civil war american battlefield trust. Union forces made great strides at controlling the river in 1862. Learn about the mississippi rivers role in the civil war at columbusbelmont state park, where you can find a sixton anchor that along with a milelong chain was used to blockade the river during battles between the north and south. Mississippi river from memphis to vicksburg the portal. The mississippi river became the focal point in the war plans of both sides. The mississippi civil war sesquicentennial continues and in the coming months we will be highlighting museum division collections related to 1862 and the civil war. Map illustrating the region between vicksburg, mississippi, and memphis, tennessee, focusing on the mississippi river. Map and two articles below are from phila inquirer mar 22. Grant hoped to secure control of the mississippi river for the union. Civil war maps, available online, mississippi library of congress. The james ranks near the mississippi river in its significance during the american civil war 18611865 and in importance to the confederacy. The siege of port hudson, louisiana may 22 july 9, 1863, was the final engagement in the union campaign to recapture the mississippi river in the american civil war. Union sailors, gunboat captains, and the campaign to control the river university press of kentucky, 2016. Traveling the lower mississippi with american cruise lines is an experience like no other.
They contain fascinating images of the war, and incredible stories of the war. Usgs topographic maps for louisiana are available by clicking here, selecting a cell name, then rightclicking the corresponding tiff image and selecting save target as. This section of the map featured a number of important civil war sites. Nov 21, 2017 join ranger matt atkinson of the gettysburg national military park as he talks about the role that his home state of mississippi played during the civil war. Each site is interpreted and accessible and encourages you to explore diverse settings where americas destiny was forged. The mississippi river lies entirely within the united states. The civil war began with both sides scrambling to put their navies on a war footing. Map of civil war sites in the lower mississippi delta region. Jackson to vicksburg civil war in the balance legends of. Mississippi was a young state when the country erupted in civil war, but its strategic location destined it to become a crucial part of that epic conflict. From civil war battlefields to the birthplace of elvis presley, the magnolia state offers a wide array of points of interest. During the war, the mississippi river below this park was the sight of an intense battle between the union and confederate forces. Mississippi civil war history battles mississippi civil war. Mississippi river near fort wright, may 10, 1862 courtesy library of congress civil war trails site other civil war site hoods campaign driving route state or national park information or welcome center mileage scale 05 10 15 20.
Mississippi state battle map american civil war battles locations and dates. Its location on the mississippi river made it strategically important to both the union and the confederacy, resulting in dozens of battles as troops repeatedly clashed near mississippi s key towns and cities, such as corinth, jackson, natchez, and vicksburg. The mississippi river in the civil war whatever nation gets control of the ohio, mississippi and missouri rivers, will control the continent. Western waterways were major arteries of communication and commerce for the south, as well as a vital link to the confederate states of louisiana and texas. He follows us with an imitation of every map we issue. The mississippi river campaigns, within the trans mississippi theater of american civil war, were a series of military actions by the union army during which union troops, helped by union navy gunboats and river ironclads, took control of the cumberland river, the tennessee river and the mississippi river, main northsouth avenues of transport.
Civil war maps in the national archives lists the approximately 8,000 civil war maps, charts, and plans in the cartographic and architectural branch of the national archives, the largest single body of cartographic records pertaining to the american civil war. In 1817 elected delegates wrote a constitution and applied to congress for statehood. Tennessee how to use this map guide this map guide identifies more than 350 civil war sites throughout tennessee. The area is often thought of as excluding the states and territories bordering the pacific ocean, which formed the pacific coast theater of the american civil war 18611865. Union general william tecumseh sherman, 1861 the goal of both the northern federal or union and southern confederate armies was to secure and hold the mississippi river. The mississippi river was key to defeating the confederacy in the civil war. An original civil war newspaper showing maps of the mississippi river in the civil war. In addition to maps held at the tennessee state library and archives, the digital collection, looking back. Black women and families in civil war era mississippi indiana up, 1999. This map was printed by the government printing office in 1904 as part. This 11foot ribbon map puts the whole mississippi river. Civil war battles of mississippi legends of america. Mississippi river gunboats of the american civil war 186165 new vanguard.
Flag of company a, blount guards, 23rd regiment, mississippi infantry. This web site features the harpers weekly newspapers that were published during the civil war. At the start of the american civil war, neither side had warships on the mississippi river. James river during the civil war encyclopedia virginia. Goods passed from the interior down to new orleans, and went by ship to europe. Vicksburg was the last major confederate stronghold on the mississippi river. Long before the outbreak of the civil war, robert e. What was the motivating factor that lead to the conflict. The location is near new madrid and what the union forces refer to as island no. Explore the thousands of military and civilian artifacts at the civil war museum. Although the federal navy outnumbered its southern foe, neither side had enough combatcapable warships at the outset of the struggle. The combatants needed uptodate maps, and there was an increased public interest resulting from mention of the river in war news as both sides sought to.
Lloyds new map of the mississippi river from cairo to the gulf, published by h. Lloyds map of the mississippi river, engraved on wood by waters and company lc civil war maps no. The siege of vicksburg may 18 july 4, 1863 was the final major military action in the vicksburg campaign of the american civil war. Civil war maps, available online, mississippi library of. Join american cruise lines on an unforgettable journey along the lower mississippi river. The american civil war saw a brief resurgence of ramming as a naval tactic. The river was vital because the south lacked rail, or track, so much of its goods were simply transported by rivers, such as the mississippi. Another mustsee attraction along the kentucky great river road is the columbusbelmont state park. The union blockade in the american civil war was a naval strategy by the united states to prevent the confederacy from trading the blockade was proclaimed by president abraham lincoln in april 1861, and required the monitoring of 3,500 miles 5,600 km of atlantic and gulf coastline, including 12 major ports, notably new orleans and mobile.
Following the battle of shiloh in april 1862, general ulysses s. Head instead to the chalmette battlefield, down river from new orleans. Louis, benton, carondelet sneaked past rebel troops during the night, to help open the river. Despite its location practically in the middle of the united states, island no. The river cartographers were kept busy during the civil war years. Mississippi valley campaign, the campaigns and battles of the american civil war that were fought for control of the mississippi river. Map showing the system of rebel fortifications on the mississippi river at island no. Grants forces bridged the river at three locations and, flushed with victory, pushed hard toward vicksburg on may 18. This 11foot ribbon map puts the whole mississippi river in.
Map, available online, 1863, civil war maps, mississippi. Explore grand plantations, civil war battlefields, and legendary cities, led by our engaging expert guides. Louis and the junction of the missouri, delineated in five. Using the james river and kanawha canal system, boats moved materials such as pig iron and coal from virginias shenandoah valley and piedmont regions to the capital. This fleet was made up of converted river steamboats. In order to distract confederate forces from landing on the mississippi river, grant ordered colonel benjamin grierson on a raid from lagrange, tennessee, to newton station to cut the mississippi central railroad. For the north, it was an essential part of their anaconda plan anaconda plan wikipedia. Civil war map mississippi river at new madrid 1862. The river war american battlefield trust civil war trust. Impressive civil war era handcolored wall map of the mississippi river from new orleans to st. Join ranger matt atkinson of the gettysburg national military park as he talks about the role that his home state of mississippi played during the civil war. It was part of the great designer george kesslers grand design for memphis.
The famous battle at vicksburg took months, leaving thousands of people dead on both the. Fairly detailed map showing towns, roads, railroads and topography. What is the significance of the mississippi river during the. Beautiful views abound in this small park on the mississippi river. Mississippi american civil war map of state battles. Map of the environs of vicksburg, mississippi, 1863 title, scale, and date from stephensons civil war maps, 1989. Map showing louisiana and lower mississippi as it was during the civil war. The battle of island number 10 was fought in early 1862 during the american civil war and resulted in the union capture of island number 10 in the mississippi river.
Learn about the strategic, though often unpredictable, locations of battles during the u. This guide is the second edition of civil war maps in the national archives, which was first published in 1964 for the centennial of the civil war. This 11foot ribbon map puts the whole mississippi river in your pocket. In 150 years the mississippi river, with the aid of man, has pushed and pulled this battlefield into oblivion. Lower mississippi river cruise american cruise lines. This issue became especially apparent as the union navy took control of longer and longer swathes of the mississippi river. Tennessee civil war trails sites can be explored at your own pace, and many offer other historical and. These newspapers are a great source of original civil war illustrations, and incredible stories on the key battles and people of the war. Includes fortifications, roads, railroads, rivers, towns, and the. After reaching newton on april 24, grierson continued south to baton rouge, louisiana. Mississippi, of course, is the birthplace of the delta blues and the rich history of the blues can be traced at numerous points along the mississippi river.
Battle of the big black river bridge may 17, 1863 sites, places and markers. Abraham lincoln would say that vicksburg is the key, for whoever controlled this vital port town controlled the nations major transportation artery. In the first few months, moreover, both sides scrambled to gather a flotilla, converting existing riverboats for naval use. Begin and end in the fascinating cities of chattanooga and memphis, and stop at quaint river towns to learn about the local economy and culture. Map of the mississippi river from cape girardeau to the delta showing the extent of the alluvial region. Shows detailed positions of union troops in color at the moment of gen. This map was produced by wide awake films in partnership with the friends of vicksburg battlefield.
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