Vicksburg, Historic Civil War city in Warren County, Mississippi, United States.
Vicksburg is a small city in Warren County, Mississippi, sitting on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River and serving as the county seat. The settlement spreads across several hills and valleys that run from the river into the hinterland, with downtown grouped near the steep riverbank.
Union troops besieged the town for 47 days in spring and summer 1863, forcing its defenders to surrender on July 4 and giving the North complete control of the entire Mississippi River. This defeat split the Confederacy geographically and weakened its supply lines permanently.
The town carries the name of Newitt Vick, a Methodist minister who established a plantation here in 1812 and set aside land for a settlement. His heirs formally founded the community after his death and gave it his family name.
Main roads run along the hilltops and provide orientation, while smaller streets descend steeply toward the river. Visitors can explore downtown on foot but should note that many routes involve inclines.
The Engineer Research and Development Center operates large laboratory facilities here for flood control and water engineering research applied in nationwide infrastructure projects. This facility employs hundreds of specialists and ranks as a leading institute in its field.
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