Final answer:
A siege is a military blockade aimed at forcing a surrender, and Major General Ulysses S. Grant led the Union troops in the successful siege of Vicksburg during the Civil War, capturing the city and splitting the Confederacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
A siege is a military operation where forces surround a city or fortress with the aim of compelling the surrender of those inside, usually through blockade and isolation. During the American Civil War, Major General Ulysses S. Grant led the Union troops in the siege of Vicksburg.
During the siege, Union sappers played a crucial role by tunneling under the Confederate fortifications and setting explosives to create vulnerabilities in the defenses. The civilian population was forced to seek shelter while Union artillery continued to bombard the city. The siege culminated with Confederate Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton surrendering approximately 30,000 men to Grant, marking a significant defeat for the Confederacy.