U.S. Grant, Vicksburg, and Embracing Failure
By confronting failures openly, learning from them, and continually adapting his strategies, Grant was able to overcome significant obstacles and achieve a decisive victory.
"I had as many as six different plans for reaching a point below Vicksburg, all of which were abandoned, one after another, on account of their impracticability, after having been commenced. This led to the saying among the troops that 'General Grant is experimenting.'"
--Ulysses S. Grant, Memoirs
General Ulysses S. Grant's leadership during the 1863 Vicksburg campaign in Mississippi is a powerful example of vulnerable leadership. He repeatedly demonstrated his ability to learn from failure, adapt, and ultimately achieve success. The Vicksburg campaign was a crucial effort during the American Civil War, aimed at gaining control of the Mississippi River and splitting the Confederacy from the resource-rich trans-Mississippi region. Grant's approach was marked by his persistent willingness to take significant risks, confront setbacks, and persevere through adversity.
Confederate President Jefferson C. Davis considered Vicksburg the “nailhead that held the South’s two halves together.” At the beginning of the war in 1861 there were only three river ports with rail links to the east—Memphis, New Orleans, and Vicksburg—to support the Confederate armies, and by late 1862 only Vicksburg remained in Confederate hands. Union forces controlled all but 130 miles of the mighty Mississippi River’s 2,350-mile length. Sitting on imposing bluffs with a commanding position on the river, Vicksburg was indeed a formidable defense.
Initially, Grant faced considerable challenges in his campaign. His early attempts to capture Vicksburg, including direct assaults and attempts to bypass the stronghold by digging canals and maneuvering forces down rivers towards Vicksburg all met with failure. These setbacks were not just tactical defeats but also exposed him to criticism from both his peers and superiors. Some in the Lincoln administration began to lose patience. Instead of being deterred, though, Grant openly acknowledged these failures and reflected on the strategic and logistical missteps that had hindered his efforts. This self-awareness and willingness to recognize his shortcomings are hallmarks of vulnerable leadership.
“I can’t spare this man. He fights.”
—Abraham Lincoln regarding criticism of Grant
Learning from his early failures, Grant adapted his strategy. He decided to move his troops south of Vicksburg through Louisiana on the west bank of the Mississippi River, then cross to the east bank into Mississippi and approach the city from the east. To cross the river, his troops needed to link up with transport ships and gunboats that Grant’s campaign partner, US Navy Admiral David Porter, would daringly run past the Vicksburg batteries overwatching the river on the nights of April 16th and 22nd, 1863. It was Grant’s “all in” moment, with his job and career at stake, as he and Porter had only one shot at pulling off this off this attempt to run the Vicksburg gauntlet.
This bold maneuver required meticulous planning and considerable risk, as once on Mississippi soil Grant planned to temporarily abandon his supply lines and live off the land with his 45,000-man army. Grant's ability to pivot and devise a new approach in the face of previous failures demonstrated his resilience and strategic flexibility. Once he did cross his army, though, Grant moved rapidly, winning a series of battles and effectively isolating Vicksburg from reinforcements. His ability to learn from earlier mistakes and innovate under pressure were crucial to these successes.
Ultimately, Grant's persistence and strategic acumen led to the siege and eventual surrender of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863. This victory was a turning point in the Civil War, giving the Union total control of the Mississippi River and splitting the Confederacy. Grant's leadership throughout the Vicksburg campaign exemplifies how acknowledging failure, learning from mistakes, and adapting strategies can lead to monumental success. His approach not only secured a critical military victory but also solidified his reputation as one of the most effective and trusted Union generals of the Civil War.
Grant's experience during the Vicksburg campaign underscores the importance of vulnerable leadership. By confronting failures openly, learning from them, and continually adapting his strategies, Grant was able to overcome significant obstacles and achieve a decisive victory. His leadership style during this campaign remains a valuable lesson in resilience, strategic thinking, and the power of persistence in the face of adversity.
A superbly-told historical lesson in the power of vulnerable leadership. Thanks!