"We are flanked on the left!"
With those six words, the fate of Vicksburg—and perhaps the entire Confederacy—was sealed.
On May 16, 1863, Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton faced an impossible choice. Caught between President Davis's order to hold Vicksburg at all costs and General Johnston's command to attack Grant in the field, Pemberton made the fatal error that haunts every military commander: he divided his forces.
Grant was closing in. The trap was set. What followed would become the most decisive battle you've never heard of.
Was Champion Hill, not Gettysburg, the true turning point of the Civil War?
Military historian Michael R. Brasher makes a compelling case that this overlooked battle doomed the Confederacy. In this concise yet comprehensive account, discover:
- How Grant's daring Mississippi crossing set the stage for victory
- The precarious gamble of cutting loose from supply lines
- Bowen's legendary counterattack that nearly changed everything
- Why losing Champion Hill meant losing Vicksburg—and the war
- The command failures that destroyed Confederate hopes
Perfect for readers who want:
- Fresh perspective on Civil War turning points
- Quick but thorough battle narrative (readable in one sitting)
- Extensive web links to explore key personalities and locations
- Military analysis that challenges conventional wisdom
Complete with detailed order of battle, comprehensive bibliography, and annotated footnotes.
"Champion Hill decided Vicksburg. Vicksburg decided the war. This battle deserves to be remembered."
Discover why Grant called Champion Hill one of the most decisive battles of the war—and why most histories overlook it.
