U S Army War College

The Failure of the Confederate Vicksburg Campaign U S Army War College

Although the American Civil War occurred over 130 years ago, analyses of failed campaigns provide insight and reinforce the importance of critical warfighting skills for today's strategic leader. Several principles in today's joint doctrine serve as excellent tools to analyze failed campaigns. This book analyzes and identifies some of the reasons the Confederate Vicksburg Campaign failed. The book examines Jefferson Davis strategy, the Confederate command, control, and communications system, and the quality of the Confederate leadership. This book concludes by showing how these three areas hindered the Confederate unity of effort and its implications for future strategic leaders.