AN ANALYSIS OF LOESS CAVES USED DURING THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG;

The loess caves of Vicksburg became famous during the American Civil War due to the unique properties of the material, such as the ability to take and hold a vertical cut. Historic accounts of those like Mary Webster Loughborough describe life in these caves and shed light on the strength of loess. During the siege, Ulysses S. Grant kept the city under constant cannon bombardment forcing the general population to take refuge in loess caves dug into hillsides. Loess’ unique ability to withstand a vertical cut allowed the civilian population to excavate semi-bombproof shelters that were generally capable of withstanding all but a direct hit from cannon fire. Also, these shelters had the ability to stand for many years without slumping. Typically, a loess cave had more than one entrance which allowed for ventilation as well as multiple escape routes. The caves provided adequate protection; however, they were not always safe and indiscriminant shelling of the hillsides disturbed the loess thereby causing the caves to collapse and bury its occupants. The size of the caves varied drastically. Some were barely large enough to house a small family while others were reported to be large enough to accommodate two hundred people. Due to loess’ unique physical properties, it is still accepted as a primitive form of human habitation even today.