Tour Stop #15 - Hovey's Approach

Hovey's Approach allows visitors to see the engineering done by the Union army during the siege.

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Vicksburg, Mississippi

Amenities

1 listed

Parking - Auto

This point affords a view of Fort Garrot from the Federal side of the battlefield. The course of Hovey’s Right Approach is indicated by iron tablets wandering up the hillside.

• Tour Stop #15 - Hovey's Approach

  
  

  This track discusses Union engineering efforts to dig 13 approaches towards the Confederate defenses during the siege of Vicksburg.

  Date created:

  12/31/2021

  Audio Transcript

  Siege warfare differed from other manifestations of Civil War combat, in that, it was more structured and moved at a much slower pace. While the goal remained the same, the method was completely different.

  Rather than a rapid assault across a field toward the Confederate defenses, Union soldiers dug approach trenches, which were zigzag in shape, and protected at the front by a sap roller: a large loosely woven basket filled with cotton or sticks.

  Once the soldiers advanced a suitable distance, the work parties dug parallel trenches from which sharpshooters could further harass their opponents.

  The constant fire forced the Confederates to take cover, allowing the Union work parties to speed their digging. By the end of the siege, Union soldiers were close enough to hold conversations with the Confederates.

  In all, General Grant’s men dug 13 different approaches at Vicksburg.

  Hovey’s approach, seen at the southeastern corner of Fort Garrott, was begun on June 23rd and nearly reached the fort by the time of the surrender on July 4th.