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Quiz about General John C Pemberton
Quiz about General John C Pemberton

General John C. Pemberton Trivia Quiz


How much do you know about the Northern-born Confederate general who lost both Vicksburg and his army?

A multiple-choice quiz by Stalin1879. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
Stalin1879
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
256,705
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
15
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
10 / 15
Plays
278
- -
Question 1 of 15
1. John C. Pemberton was not a native of the South. Where was he born? Hint


Question 2 of 15
2. In the Mexican War, Pemberton was often in the thick of battle and was promoted to brevet major for "gallant and meritorious conduct" at the battle of Molino del Rey in 1847. Who commanded the United States Army in this successful campaign against the defenses of Mexico City? Hint


Question 3 of 15
3. Why did Pemberton resign his commission in the United States Army and join the Confederacy? Hint


Question 4 of 15
4. Pemberton's first major assignment was to defend which coastal Southern city? Hint


Question 5 of 15
5. In October 1862, Pemberton was given command of the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. When Pemberton arrived, he found a poorly organised department lacking supplies, order, and centralised command. Who was his sloppy predecessor? Hint


Question 6 of 15
6. In December 1862, Union General Ulysses S. Grant planned to advance on Vicksburg from the north while a strong force under William T. Sherman would use the Mississippi River to land above Vicksburg and cut its communications with the town of Jackson to the east. Pemberton decided to unleash his cavalry on Grant's supply base at Holly Springs. The action was a success and Grant was forced to retire. Who commanded Pemberton's cavalry on this raid? Hint


Question 7 of 15
7. Sherman was now on his own, and his troops landed north of Vicksburg and advanced on the Walnut Hills. Pemberton took advantage of the high ground at Chickasaw Bluffs and repulsed Sherman's advance on the 27-29th of December, 1862. Pemberton lost 207 of his 13,800 troops. How many of his 30,700 troops did Sherman lose in this major Union defeat? Hint


Question 8 of 15
8. In the early spring of 1863, Grant began a series of operations aimed at capturing Vicksburg. Failed attempts at De Soto Point, Lake Providence, and Yazoo Pass, coupled with two disasterous naval expeditions frustrated Grant but did they succeed in confusing Pemberton as to his opponent's true intentions?


Question 9 of 15
9. In March 1863, Grant decided to adopt a new strategy to capture Vicksburg. Pemberton was bamboozled and the plan was ultimately successful. What was Grant's strategy? Hint


Question 10 of 15
10. In April 1863, Grant ordered a diversionary cavalry foray into Mississippi to distract Pemberton from his own movements. Who commanded this successful expedition? Hint


Question 11 of 15
11. After successfully landing south of Vicksburg, Grant's army defeated Confederate forces at Port Gibson, Raymond, and Jackson. Pemberton decided to take offensive action and attempted to threaten the Union army's supply base but he was soon confronted by Grant's forces and defeated in detail at what battle? Hint


Question 12 of 15
12. The overall Confederate commander in the district, Joseph E. Johnston, advised Pemberton to save his army and abandon Vicksburg. Pemberton ignored Johnston's advice because he had been ordered to hold Vicksburg at all costs. Who gave him this order?

Answer: (both names or just last name)
Question 13 of 15
13. Grant's army besieged Pemberton's army in Vicksburg after two attempts to storm the works on May 19 and May 22 were repulsed with heavy losses. How long did the siege last? Hint


Question 14 of 15
14. Pemberton surrendered Vicksburg and its garrison on July 4th. Why did he choose this date? Hint


Question 15 of 15
15. After the surrender of Vicksburg many people in the South thought Pemberton was a traitor. Jefferson Davis could not find a suitable command for him as few Confederate troops would accept Pemberton as their general. How did Pemberton serve out the rest of the war? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. John C. Pemberton was not a native of the South. Where was he born?

Answer: Pennsylvania

John C. Pemberton was born on August 10th, 1814, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
2. In the Mexican War, Pemberton was often in the thick of battle and was promoted to brevet major for "gallant and meritorious conduct" at the battle of Molino del Rey in 1847. Who commanded the United States Army in this successful campaign against the defenses of Mexico City?

Answer: Winfield Scott

Winfield Scott ordered the division of William J. Worth to assault a group of stone buildings outside of Mexico City that were being used by Mexican troops as a mill and foundry. Worth's division (including one John C. Pemberton), supported by a powerful artillery bombardment, eventually drove the Mexicans out from the position. Mexican forces lost over 3,000 men whereas American losses only totalled 729 men killed and wounded.
3. Why did Pemberton resign his commission in the United States Army and join the Confederacy?

Answer: Love for his Southern-born wife

Pemberton resigned from the United States Army on April 24, 1861. There is no evidence that Pemberton entertained strong Southern, pro-states' rights sentiments, and the main reason for his defection to the Confederacy was simply out of love of his Virginia-born wife, Martha (Pattie) Thompson. For him, it was a choice between fighting for the North or fighting for Pattie, and he chose his wife.
4. Pemberton's first major assignment was to defend which coastal Southern city?

Answer: Charleston, South Carolina

As commander of the Department of South Carolina and Georgia from March 1862 to August 1862, Pemberton demonstrated a flair for administrative duties, and he successfully defended Charleston from a series of minor Union assaults. In constant need of resources and manpower, Pemberton gradually alienated the Governor of South Carolina, Francis Pickens, who asked Confederate President Jefferson Davis to remove him in mid 1862.
5. In October 1862, Pemberton was given command of the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. When Pemberton arrived, he found a poorly organised department lacking supplies, order, and centralised command. Who was his sloppy predecessor?

Answer: Earl Van Dorn

Pemberton's excellent administrative abilities soon sorted out Van Dorn's mess and disorganisation. Editors of the Jackson "Daily Mississippian" newspaper commented that "already, on every hand, the beneficial efforts of his administration of the affairs of this military district are visible" and that "no officer ever devoted himself with greater assiduity to his duties. Late and early he is at his office, labouring incessantly."
6. In December 1862, Union General Ulysses S. Grant planned to advance on Vicksburg from the north while a strong force under William T. Sherman would use the Mississippi River to land above Vicksburg and cut its communications with the town of Jackson to the east. Pemberton decided to unleash his cavalry on Grant's supply base at Holly Springs. The action was a success and Grant was forced to retire. Who commanded Pemberton's cavalry on this raid?

Answer: Earl Van Dorn

Although Van Dorn had failed as a Department commander, he was still an excellent cavalry commander, and his destruction of Grant's supply base at Holly Springs ruined the Union army's advance.
7. Sherman was now on his own, and his troops landed north of Vicksburg and advanced on the Walnut Hills. Pemberton took advantage of the high ground at Chickasaw Bluffs and repulsed Sherman's advance on the 27-29th of December, 1862. Pemberton lost 207 of his 13,800 troops. How many of his 30,700 troops did Sherman lose in this major Union defeat?

Answer: 1,776

The Confederate victory at Chickasaw Bluffs forced Sherman to retreat back up the river. Vicksburg was safe for the moment.
8. In the early spring of 1863, Grant began a series of operations aimed at capturing Vicksburg. Failed attempts at De Soto Point, Lake Providence, and Yazoo Pass, coupled with two disasterous naval expeditions frustrated Grant but did they succeed in confusing Pemberton as to his opponent's true intentions?

Answer: Yes

Pemberton became paralysed by indecision and could not work out Grant's true intentions. As a result, the Confederate general even failed to implement simple defensive measures such as placing obstructions in the Mississippi River and harrassing the Union navy from the riverbanks.
9. In March 1863, Grant decided to adopt a new strategy to capture Vicksburg. Pemberton was bamboozled and the plan was ultimately successful. What was Grant's strategy?

Answer: To move his army down the west side of the Mississippi below Vicksburg and then transport it across the river to attack from the south

Pemberton was so puzzled by Grant's movements that he initially thought that the Union commander was retreating to Memphis, Tennessee. He even detached some of the Vicksburg garrison to reinforce Braxton Bragg's army before realising the true nature of the situation.
10. In April 1863, Grant ordered a diversionary cavalry foray into Mississippi to distract Pemberton from his own movements. Who commanded this successful expedition?

Answer: Benjamin H. Grierson

Grierson's raid was particularly troublesome for Pemberton due to the Confederate general's lack of ability to combat it. The rebel cavalry was widely dispersed throughout the state and unable to counter Grierson. In addition, the Confederate intelligence was poor and could not keep track of the Union cavalry's location at any one time.
11. After successfully landing south of Vicksburg, Grant's army defeated Confederate forces at Port Gibson, Raymond, and Jackson. Pemberton decided to take offensive action and attempted to threaten the Union army's supply base but he was soon confronted by Grant's forces and defeated in detail at what battle?

Answer: Champion Hill

Pemberton's 20,000 troops were surprised by Grant's 29,000 troops at Champion Hill and defeated. Of Pemberton's three divisional commanders, only John S. Bowen performed well. William W. Loring failed to cooperate with Pemberton's orders and Carter Stevenson was ineffectual. Pemberton lost about 3,600 men and Grant lost about 2,400.

The result at Champion Hill sealed the fate of Vicksburg, and Pemberton's army could still be saved.
12. The overall Confederate commander in the district, Joseph E. Johnston, advised Pemberton to save his army and abandon Vicksburg. Pemberton ignored Johnston's advice because he had been ordered to hold Vicksburg at all costs. Who gave him this order?

Answer: Jefferson Davis

President Davis had ordered Pemberton to hold Vicksburg and promised relief if the army was besieged. Pemberton was reluctant to give up Vicksburg and risk the condemnation of the President and the South.
13. Grant's army besieged Pemberton's army in Vicksburg after two attempts to storm the works on May 19 and May 22 were repulsed with heavy losses. How long did the siege last?

Answer: 6 weeks

The Union shelling drove the citizens of Vicksburg into nearby caves for protection. Food became scarce and the Confederate soldiers resorted to eating horses, mules, dogs, and rats. Scurvy, malaria, dysentery and diarrhea decimated the garrison.
14. Pemberton surrendered Vicksburg and its garrison on July 4th. Why did he choose this date?

Answer: He thought he would get more favourable terms from Grant

There were enough supplies left in Vicksburg to sustain the garrison for another week. Pemberton's strategy to surrender on this date in order to get better terms seemed to work, as Grant's conditions were very generous. However, the 4th of July holiday was not celebrated by the majority of citizens of Vicksburg until World War Two.
15. After the surrender of Vicksburg many people in the South thought Pemberton was a traitor. Jefferson Davis could not find a suitable command for him as few Confederate troops would accept Pemberton as their general. How did Pemberton serve out the rest of the war?

Answer: As a lieutenant colonel of artillery in Virginia

Pemberton's humble act to accept a demotion in order to continue fighting for the South is a testimony to his loyalty and honour. He survived the war and died in 1881. Thanks for playing!
Source: Author Stalin1879

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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