Civilian Life During the Siege of Vicksburg

“I shall never forget my extreme fear during the night and my utter hopelessness of ever seeing the morning light. Terror-stricken, we remained crouched in the cave while shell after shell followed one another in quick succession.” These thoughts, recorded by Mary Webster Loughborough in her diary during the onset of the Siege of Vicksburg, describe the feelings most likely shared by many of the civilian population throughout the siege. Just three years prior, these citizens had voted against secession, wanting to remain part of the Union, only to find themselves now the primary target, surrounded by Federal forces for the next 47 days. While the Confederate Army was situated between the Union Army and the city, the civilians were exposed to the front lines of the Federal Navy’s constant shelling of the city. They witnessed firsthand some of the most grueling aspects of the war.

Marie Loughborough – wrote My Cave Life

Shelling was relentless and constant within the city. Most of the ordnance fired was of significantly large caliber, explosive, and inaccurate. Although specific targets, such as the courthouse and rear Confederate lines, were intended, most shells lobbed from the river did not reach their destinations. Homes, hospitals, churches, businesses, and anything within range of the guns were in danger. Townsfolk gathering at one of the local churches believed they were being specifically targeted when shells began raining down on them during Sunday Mass. It had become such a normal part of life that the priest never hesitated through his sermon and was surprised to find his congregation had fled when he looked up from his text. The shelling was described by locals as a constant “hail of iron.” Even rain did not halt the Federal bombardment.

Caves dug into the eastern hillside became the primary mode of protection for the civilians. Some were simple holes dug just deep enough for an awning overhead, while others were elaborately decorated to resemble some normalcy of home life. Living conditions within them were hot, muggy, dark, and left a lingering fear in their dwellers of collapse and being trapped inside. Emma Balfour chose to remain in her own home throughout the siege, risking being shelled after spending just one night in her cave. For most people in town, however, it was a welcomed risk compared to the fear of falling shrapnel outside. Although their purpose was protection, the caves provided little defense against a direct hit from above. When one was struck, it became a community effort to attempt to rescue those trapped inside, often with little hope of finding them alive.

Food and supplies quickly became rationed by both the Army and the civilian population. Prices for everyday food inflated rapidly, with even a pound of flour costing upwards of $200. Not every citizen looked out for the good of the many, as those hoarding supplies exploited those in desperate need. Some days, rations were only enough for a single biscuit. Mary Loughborough boasted of an old tree stump near her cave that held rainwater, which had turned into tea for them to drink instead of water. Those without the luxury of stump tea resorted to drinking directly from the Mississippi River, resulting in widespread illness. Every day, conditions seemed to worsen for them.

On the day General Pemberton surrendered to General Grant, Grant immediately ordered his men to begin distributing food and supplies throughout the city. The enemy, who had sought to annihilate them just the day before, now became their saving grace in the face of starvation and sickness. Emotions were mixed among the population. While some were spiteful of their recent experiences, others were grateful to see the Stars and Stripes flying over their city once again. Unfortunately, their suffering was not over. July 4th marked the end of the siege but also signaled the beginning of a new era of reconstruction that would place the city under martial law for the next decade.