Abigail Elizabeth Reynolds, War Correspondent, New York World
July 9, 1863
Washington City
VICKSBURG FALLS.
Word has arrived at the War Department that the Confederate City of Vicksburg fell on July 4, 1863, the day following the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg, to the hands of Federal Troops under the command of Major General Ulysses S. Grant. Grant began his blockade of Vicksburg in late March and has laid siege to the city for almost sixty days. Daily bombardment of the city resulted in numerous casualties of Confederate troops with minor casualties of Union soldiers, according to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Confederates surrendered to Grant’s Army after exhausting their resources. About ten thousand Confederate troops are now in the custody of the Federals.
Approximately fifteen hundred civilians had remained in Vicksburg after General Grant had offered the civilians free passage to safety prior to the siege. Vicksburg had completely exhausted all its resources as well including food and medical supplies. Many of the remaining residents were forced from their homes to find shelter in surrounding caves due to the intense and regular bombardment of the city. General Grant reportedly states that he will offer amnesty to all civilians that will pledge allegiance to the Union. The Union Army has made the city its new headquarters in the Mississippi delta region.
