In May 1863, during the American Civil War, Major-General Ulysses S. Grant successfully captured Jackson, Mississippi's capital, leading to the Confederate army led by Lieutenant-General John C. Pemberton retreating to Vicksburg. The Union forces then surrounded the city, bombarding it with gunfire while Pemberton's troops managed to fend off two attacks. However, after a prolonged siege, they were ultimately forced into surrender.
On July 4, 1863, Pemberton capitulated, marking a significant turning point in the war. This defeat ensured that the Union had control over the Mississippi River, effectively splitting the Confederacy in half and solidifying Northern power in the region.