Episode 618 Word Power The Siege of Vicksburg

Another word for asunder in "gain control of the Mississippi River, and the Confederacy will be broken asunder" is ______.

"There was, however, one formidable obstacle to this plan—Vicksburg." A formidable obstacle is one that is ______.

"Called the Gibraltar of the Confederacy, Vicksburg, Mississippi, offered the perfect bastion for the defenders." A bastion is a _______.

"General John C. Pemberton, could sink any ship attempting to pass and rebuff any assault." If you rebuff something, you ______.

"The task much needed at the time to neutralize this fortress fell to Ulysses S. Grant." If you neutralize a fortress, you ______.

"Grant tried a variety of tactics to unseat the rebel force." Tactics can best be described as ______.

"The simple expedient of crossing upriver and approaching Vicksburg from the east was defeated by an impassable swamp." An expedient is a(n) ______.

"Once across, he sent General W. T. Sherman east to block any efforts to reinforce the now-endangered citadel." A citadel is a ______.

"Instead of chicken or pork, small amounts of mule meat were rationed to the hungry defenders." If food is rationed, it is ______.

"Finding his position untenable, Pemberton decided to surrender Vicksburg on July 4, 1863." Another word for untenable is ______.