The Defense of Vicksburg is the story of the Louisiana soldiers who 
fought at Vicksburg, as told through their letters, diaries, and 
remembrances. Most histories of this famous Civil War siege have 
been written by the victors; this one presents a day-by-day account 
from the Confederate vantage point. Indeed, these long-dead men 
come to life as we read their experiences and perceptions told in 
their own voices, which ring clear and true.

    In 1862 the Dixie Rebels of DeSoto Parish left for New Orleans. 
They and other Louisianians were formed into regiments and 
dispatched to Vickbsurg. In the year that followed, the troops 
witnessed the shelling of Vicksburg by Union gunboats, the 
outbreak of disease, the lonely heroics of the Confederate ironclad 
Arkansas, the daily drudgery of camp life, and Jeff Davis’s visit to 
the beleaguered city.

    With immediacy and in riveting detail, several correspondents 
describe daily life in the trenches from their individual perspectives 
during each of the forty-seven days of the siege. And their stories 
do not end with the capitulation of the city. An epilogue follows the 
troops as they return home and then continue their service for the 
balance of the war. Their experiences transcended their own 
worlds, and these young men of Louisiana still have something 
important to tell us.

_________________________________________________________

ALLAN C. RICHARD, JR., and MARY MARGARET HIGGINBOTHAM
RICHARD are graduates of Louisiana Tech and live in Shreveport,
Louisiana. Active in several historic organizations and societies, they
share a mutual love of history and the Civil War.


Number Ninety: Texas A&M University Military History Series


What people are saying about this book


“. . . it permits the reader to get an insight into the daily feelings 
of  soldiers . . . The notes, editing, and presentation are first class. 
This is  an important contribution to the understanding of the Civil 
War period.”—Louisiana History

“The entries in this volume paint a vivid portrait of an army under 
siege .  . . is a work of remarkable scholarly research, and it adds 
greatly to our  knowledge of the plight of these southern soldiers 
and of the great campaign of which they were a part.”—The 
Journal of Southern History

“The authors have done a superb job in bringing together 
unpublished letters, diaries and other manuscripts written by 
Louisiana soldiers defending Vicksburg. In doing so they are 
providing significant materials which will be of great interest to
Civil War scholars. . . . a real contribution to our knowledge of
the American Civil War, particularly in reference to the Vicksburg
campaign. I have no doubt that it will be quoted from and cited
repeatedly by scholars attempting to provide an overall view or
synthesis of this extremely important campaign. In addition, the
work will be read and re-read by historians seeking additional
insight into the lives and experiences of common soldiers in the
Civil War.”—Ralph C. Wooster, Lamar University

“. . . the authors successfully weave together an absorbing and 
often touching story. The reader gets a genuine ‘feel’ for the 
sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of one of the Civil War’s most
important campaigns from the perspective of a number of Louisiana
soldiers. Indeed, their stories become so engrossing, I couldn’t put
the manuscript down. It would be a unique and valuable addition to
any Civil War enthusiast’s bookshelves.”—Robert Wooster, Texas
A&M University–Corpus Christi

“Focusing on Vicksburg the authors use letters and diaries from 
Lousiana soldiers to personalize state service in the campaign 
and siege that cut the Confederacy in two. Graphic, poignant and
ably presented, this book blazes a new path in Civil War 
Studies.”—Frank E. Vandiver

“Louisiana provided more soldiers to defend Vicksburg than any 
other Confederate State. Their letters and diaries have now been
compiled by the Richards into an invaluable primary source. This
book gives the reader a personal look at the Louisiana soldiers
who garrisoned Vicksburg for months before the battle and then
endured the horror and privation of siege warfare.”—Terry
L. Jones, author, Lee’s Tigers

“Allan C. Richard has drawn upon an extensive number of 
primary and secondary sources in describing the activities of 
those soldiers in and around the Gibraltar of the Confederacy. 
Readers will learn in the pages of this book how the men
reacted to life in camp as well as to the hardships under
enemy fire in the trenches. Richard has made a significant
contribution to our understanding of the Vicksburg campaigns
and the life of the common soldier.”—Arthur W. Bergeron,
Jr., Pamplin Historical Park

“. . . a valuable contribution to our understanding of the 
experiences of Confederate defenders of Vicksburg. The 
collection of first-hand accounts provides fascinating historical
vistas of the trials, triumphs, tribulations and sorrows of
Louisianans who committed themselves to saving the Gibraltar
of the Confederacy.”—Mike Ballard, Mississippi State University