The Worcester, Massachusetts born George Boardman Boomer was commanding a brigade of Missouri Infantry in General McPherson's XVII Corps in the advance to Vicksburg. He fought with distinction at the Battle of Champion Hill and just a week later led his men during the second infantry assault on Vicksburg.  He was attacking the Railway Redoubt on the west side of the city when he was shot down by Confederate sharpshooters. His body was returned to Worcester for burial. He was promoted to brigadier general posthumously.  (By John Osborne) 

After frontal atttacks on May 19 and 22, 1863 had failed with heavy losses, the Union Army of the Tennessee's commander decided that further attacks would be too costly.  He ordered siege operations to begin and no further large attacks took place. The city, its garrison, and its civilian population suffered from mining operations, daily shelling, and extreme shortages of food and medical supplies during the next six weeks.  The defenders finally asked for terms on July 2, 1963 and two days later surrendered the town.   (By John Osborne) 

After the failure of the hastily mounted initial attack two days before, Union General U.S. Grant mounted a more carefully planned all-out infantry assault. Twelve hours of heavy artillery and naval bombardment preceded the attack which began in the morning.  Furious fighting on three sides of the town went on into the afternoon and ended with the repulse of the attackers who lost more than 500 men killed and 2,500 wounded.  Grant then decided to reduce the bastion by siege.  Vickburg surrendered on July 4, 1863. (By John Osborne) 

After cutting off Vicksburg the day before, Union General U.S. Grant launched an immedate infantry assault on the city's defenses. Hoping that the Confederates were not prepared, Sherman's XV Corps attacked the Stockade Redan on the north side of the city.  More attacks in the afternoon from McClernand and McPherson's corps took place but all failed, with heavy casualties. Another, heavier attempt two days later also failed and a siege began. (By John Osborne) 

In a series of sharp encounters after crossing the Mississippi at the start of the month, General U.S. Grant's troops had advanced towards the key Mississippi River strongpoint of Vicksburg.  Crossing the Big Black River behind the city on pontoons, Union forces were able to surround Vicksburg and prepare for an immediate infantry assault, which began the next day.  All attacks would fail, though, and Vicksburg held out till July 4, 1863.  (By John Osborne)