African Americans took an important role in the Vicksburg campaign

African American soldiers also had a big role in the Battle of Vicksburg of the Vicksburg campaign. The Union did not initially recruit them, however, a lot of black soldiers ended up joining the army in different ways and dedicated their lives to the campaign. Escaped slaves were already employed in some units for menial work. Others joined by being recruited, but only in 1863 that more African American soldiers were recruited into the army. The Union recruited more during that year, and the tally reached up to 180,000 colored soldiers. However, all of them had to work under white supervisors and didn't have the right to act on their own.

Despite having little to no rights in the Army, African American soldiers still dedicated their lives to the Army and contributed greatly to the overall outcome of the Vicksburg campaign, which is the victory of the Union. The Confederates attacked the Unions on 7th June to cut off the supply line to Maj. Gen. Grant. The black soldiers, with their inferior weapons, fought off the attack using gunboats. Around 652 African American soldiers lost their lives but managed to cause 152 causalities to the Confederates. This diminished the Confederate’s chances of winning.