WARREN COUNTY
MISSISSIPPI
MSGENWEB PROJECT
Vicksburg History
Above on the left is a view of the sunset from
the Fort Hill area of Vicksburg, Mississippi. On the right above is the Old
Court House Museum and Eva W. Davis Memorial located on Cherry Street in
Vicksburg. The first impression of the Vicksburg Civil War site for an
outsider is the ruggedness of the countryside so close to the Mississippi
River. The high bluffs and deep gorges created a natural fortification to guard
the city and river port. The city and fortress came under siege by the Union
forces in May of 1863 after unsuccessful attempts by the Union Army to storm
the Confederate defenses on May 19th and 22nd. On the left below is the
"Belle of the Bends", one of the stately old homes near the
riverfront in Vicksburg. On the right below is a scenic view to the northwest
from the Confederate Battery on Fort Hill. The National Cemetery can be seen
below.
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Vicksburg is located where the Yazoo and
Mississippi rivers meet, high on the bluffs that helped make Vicksburg a
historic battleground in the last days of the Civil War.
Founded between 1814 and 1819 by Rev Newitt
Vick. Vicksburg was not surveyed into lots until after Vick's death from Yellow
fever in 1819. After some legal battles, his son-in-law and administrator of
his will, Rev. John Lane had the town surveyed and "laid out".
Vicksburg was also known as the Spanish Fort
Nogales in the late 1700's, and later Walnut Hills because of immense walnut
trees growing on hills, before being chartered in 1825 as Vicksburg.
Vicksburg's biggest fame comes as a
Confederate stronghold during the Civil War because of the city's natural
fortress, the bluffs along the river. In order to open the Mississippi to river
traffic so Union troops could get supplies, the Union army laid siege to the
city in 1863. Residents fled to caves outside the city and endured a 47day
siege before they city surrendered on July 4, 1863.
Vicksburg rallied from the ravages of war only
to suffer a disastrous fire in 1866, a cut off by the river in 1876, the yellow
fever epidemic in 1878 and yet another fire in 1883. Vicksburg was also hard hit by the flood of 1927.
Before the Mississippi changed course in 1876,
river traffic was heavy at Vicksburg. Even today, the river still provides a
great part of Vicksburg's economy. Vicksburg and surrounding areas also boast
fertile soil for farming and timber resources.
Vicksburg's city limits have changed several
times over the years. Many older communities, such as Warrenton, have been
absorbed into the existing city limits. Residents still refer to areas of the
city as Warrenton, Redbone, Jeff Davis, King's and Culkin. The early settlement
of Open Woods about 7 miles northeast of downtown, which was surveyed by Foster
Cook in the early 1800's, is now a subdivision called Openwood.
Vicksburg is a city rich in history and lore.
There's much more history in Vicksburg and Warren county but it's more fun if
you find out for yourself!