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"Siege of Vicksburg, attack on the Confederate Works, May 22nd, 1863. Our sketch represents the terrible but fruitless assault made on Pemberton's last line of defense around the city of Vicksburg. On May 22nd, 1863, a tremendous assault was made on the grass-covered fortifications held by the Confederate army. These works consisted of a chain of forts about eight hundred yards apart, connected by deep intrenchments and extending for seven miles. Lawler's brigade rushed up amid a cross fire, and with heavy loss planted the Stars and Stripes on the edge of a parapet; but the enemy gathered there, and the Federals were overpowered. Landrum's brigade came to the relief, but faltered. McClernand ordered up Benton and Burbridge on the right. Sherman and McPherson also advanced, and at point after point the old flag fluttered for awhile on the works. On the extreme right Steele's division, with Blair on his left, advanced as Pemberton fell back, and, like the others, could only display the bravery of the men. Covered by the ravines which intersected the ground the Federal troops would get near the works and make a gallant rush onward, reach the parapet, yet when the edge of the fort was gained the interior was swept by a line of the rifle pits in the rear and a partition breastwork, so that the Federals, even when in the fort, were almost as far from victory as before. In one case a party of twelve Iowans led by a youth named Griffiths, took and held a fort, but all finally fell under the fire of their assailants except Griffiths, who, with musket and revolver, captured fourteen Confederates when had discharged their pieces, and brought them off. The Confederates used for almost the first time hand grenades, which they rolled down the sides of the works on the assaulting party in the ditch or clinging to the side. This dreadful day swept away thousands of gallant Federals. The siege now began in earnest. No army could stand such losses. Closer were the lines drawn around the enemy. Siege guns were mounted. The mines began their work, and the fortifications were assailed from beneath."— Frank Leslie, 1896

Attack on Confederate Works

"Siege of Vicksburg, attack on the Confederate Works, May 22nd, 1863. Our sketch represents the terrible…

"Siege of Vicksburg- sharpshooters in the rifle pits constructed by Captain Hickenlooper."— Frank Leslie, 1896

Rifle Pits

"Siege of Vicksburg- sharpshooters in the rifle pits constructed by Captain Hickenlooper."— Frank…

"Siege of Vicksburg- the fight in the crater of Fort Hill after the explosion, June 27th, 1863. Our sketch shows the crater in its relative position to the surrounding works, and the city of Vicksburg in the distance. The entire crest, with the exception of this point, was held by the Confederates, although unable to use artillery on it in consequence of the bearing of the Federal guns upon it, as shown by the effect of two shots to right and left of the crater. The sharpshooters were protected by gabions filled with earth, on top of which were placed heavy logs, with small portholes, through which they kept up a continuous fire. This decided the siege. The key of the Confederate works had been arried, and Pemberton, after a fruitless endeavor to obtain terms, surrendered on the 4th of July."— Frank Leslie, 1896

Siege of Vicksburg

"Siege of Vicksburg- the fight in the crater of Fort Hill after the explosion, June 27th, 1863. Our…

"Siege of Vicksburg-the Twenty-third Indiana and Forty-fifth Illinois Regiments, Leggett's Brigade, Logan's Division, McPherson's Corps, storming Fort Hill, after the explosion of the mine, June 26th, 1863."— Frank Leslie, 1896

Siege of Vicksburg

"Siege of Vicksburg-the Twenty-third Indiana and Forty-fifth Illinois Regiments, Leggett's Brigade,…

"Siege of Vicksburg- General Sherman's fight with hand grenades, June 13th, 1863. On the 13th of June occurred in the siege of Vicksburg a scene hitherto unparalleled in the Civil War. By two o'clock in the morning General Sherman's corps had pushed up to the rifle pits, and to within twenty yards of one of the bastions. The Confederates threw lighted shells over the parapet on the Federal approach, and received in return twenty-three hand grenades, twenty of which exploded, driving the Confederates out. Cannon had now become useless to either party, and as musketry was of no avail, they had to resort to the old hand grenade."— Frank Leslie, 1896

Siege of Vicksburg

"Siege of Vicksburg- General Sherman's fight with hand grenades, June 13th, 1863. On the 13th of June…