Road Trip 2013 - Part IV

Being War Strategy Fans and both having families that fought in the Civil War we wanted to make sure we went to a few battlefields.  We did some smaller ones and focused on Vicksburg, Mississippi for an extended visit.  

 

 

Control of the Mississippi River south of Illinois was vital.......controlling it would let Union troops and supplies pass into the South.  It would isolate Texas, Arkansas and most of Louisiana - a region crucial to the South for supplies and recruits...to protect this line the Confederates built fortifications at strategic river points.  By the summer of 1862 only Vicksburg, Miss and Port Hudson, LA blocked Union control of the Mississippi.  Vicksburg was the stronger and more important post.



 

Grant Vs. Pemberton

Sitting atop a high bluff overlooking a river bend Vicksburg was protected by riverfront batteries, swamps and bayous to the north and south and a ring of forts with 172 guns guarding all land approaches.  Lincoln called Vicksburg 'the key' and believed that war could never be brought to a close until 'the key' as in the Union pocket

 Grant marched toward Vicksburg along the railroad of Mississippi....at Champion Hill, his force defeated Pemberton's field Army in the largest bloodiest, most significant action.  They continued to chip away at the Confederate for 46 days of relentless siege....

On July 3rd, Pemberton and Grant met to discuss terms...On July 4, 1863 Vicksburg was officially surrendered right here:

 And Thanks to my historically gifted cousin Mary Elizabeth - she sent me this distant relative's letter written July 17, 1863 who writes about not being paid, his pining for a young girl he met briefly, his fears of being ordered to Vicksburg and that he feels he will never return home to see her or his brother again....word of surrender and battles were slow to be delivered (no 24/7 cable news networks or Facebook updates).  Happily for him by the time he arrived at Vicksburg the battle was over and he was to live out the rest of his life.....

 It was incredible humbling to read this letter and stand where that young afraid soldier stood almost 150 years to the day!

 This is the Illinois memorial....luckily James Hensley's name was not added to the wall in memorial.....

 Some of the artifacts found in the area....man, those shoes/boots looked awful to march in!

 

Maybe something of James?

Time to head to NOLA and hoist one and toast to James!