American Civil War Siege Tactics

This absorbing study casts light on the tactics, technologies, and specially raised units involved in siege operations during the American Civil War.

Remembered for its bloody pitched battles, the American Civil War also witnessed a substantial number of hard-fought actions involving fortified locations, ranging from the bombardment of Fort Sumter in April 1861 to the drawn-out siege of Petersburg in 1864–65. The crucial role played by major centers such as Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Suffolk, Virginia, meant that both sides had to develop and refine their siege warfare techniques, harnessing the latest technologies in attack and defense.

In this study, renowned historian Ron Field reviews the conduct of siege operations during the Civil War. He assesses the various artillery pieces used in siege warfare, considers the evolving role of siege-warfare specialist units, and discusses the effectiveness of the two sides’ approaches to the application of bombardment, mining, tunneling, and direct assault. The insightful text is complemented by carefully chosen archive images and eight specially commissioned artwork plates depicting the tactics and technologies employed by the Union and Confederate armies.