In which we look at Grant's failed attacks on Vicksburg on May 19 & 22, 1863.

In which we look at the decisive clash of the Vicksburg Campaign- the Battle of Champion Hill, which took place on May 16, 1863.

In which we slip in a plug for joining the Strawfoot Brigade while sharing the story of how Benjamin Grierson saved William Tecumseh Sherman's life at Fort Sill in 1871. 

In which the Confederates lose the Battle of Raymond, lose the Mississippi state capital of Jackson, and Pemberton- against his own better judgement- moves out to confront Grant.

In which we see Grant's Army of the Tennessee set out on its epic march into the interior of Mississippi, in order to cut off Vicksburg from supplies & reinforcements.

* This episode of the podcast was sponsored by Simon & Schuster, publishers of "Lincoln's Spies: Their Secret War to Save a Nation" by Douglas Waller. Available wherever you get your books.

In which we look at the Battle of Port Gibson, which took place on May 1, 1863, as Grant advanced inland after landing on the east side of the Mississippi River.

In which we see the Federals marching down the Louisiana side of the Mississippi River... Porter's gunboats get battered at Grand Gulf... and by the end of the show, Grant's army is finally ready to cross over to the east bank below Vicksburg.

In which we turn our attention back to Ulysses S Grant, who makes the fateful decision to march his army down the west side of the Mississippi River and then cross to the east bank below the Confederate strongpoint of Vicksburg.

In which we look at Banks' successful Bayou Teche Campaign in central Louisiana in the spring of 1863.

In which we look at events downriver from Vicksburg, including the appointment of Major General Nathaniel Banks to command the Department of the Gulf and Rear Admiral David Farragut running the the Confederate batteries at Port Hudson.