Southern refugees encamped in the woods near Vicksburg. Women and children, having abandoned their mansions and plantations, camping in tents in woodland. A negro slave is seen looking after two white children, left foreground. On the right a Confederate soldier is taking leave of his sweetheart. Vicksburg was the last great Confederate stronghold, and fell to the Unionists afer a 6 week siege on July 4th, 1863.