The Battle of Jackson was a crucial engagement during the Vicksburg campaign in the American Civil War. Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant sought to seize control of the Mississippi River and surrounding territories, recognizing that the Confederate stronghold at Vicksburg posed a significant obstacle to his plans. In May 1863, as Grant's forces moved southward, he aimed to cut off supplies and reinforcements to the Confederate Army, particularly those under General Joseph E. Johnston, who was tasked with defending Jackson, Mississippi, the state capital. Johnston had strategically fortified the city in anticipation of the Union assault.

On May 14, Union forces advanced toward Jackson, engaging in fierce fighting against Johnston's troops. The Union Army, outnumbering the defenders, applied pressure with well-coordinated infantry and artillery tactics, leading to the Confederates' withdrawal. This tactical victory not only secured Jackson for the Union but also indirectly supported the wider siege of Vicksburg by disrupting Confederate logistics. The capture of Jackson allowed Union forces to establish a base from which they continued their campaign against Vicksburg, sealing Johnston's fate as his troops struggled to regroup.

Following this engagement, the Union Army's control over Jackson enabled them to cut off supply routes essential for Johnston's operations. This victory diminished Confederate morale and showcased the Union's strategic advantage. It marked a crucial moment in the siege of Vicksburg, which ultimately played a significant role in the outcome of the Civil War by weakening Confederate resistance in the Western Theater.