The final stop.
Some people love to cook, some people love to shop, some people love to make things; I love American History. And while my desire to visit each and every historical site is annoying to some, I have met my match with Bert. It also seems that it's somewhat genetic (it appears there're only 2 illegitimates.)Vicksburg, and a portion of the Natchez Trace Parkway were the icing of our trip. Although we spent more than enough time there for now, Bert and I didn't quite get our fill. Laugh if you will, but we plan on renting this someday, so that we can do it as slow and as thorough as we like:
Until then we will make do with what we got.
Vicksburg is second only in architecture and sculpture to the Gettysburg battlefield.
But if history isn't your thing, and it wasn't necessarily your history teachers either, let me refresh your memory.
Vicksburg (no matter what others may say) was the turning point in the Civil War. It insured Federal control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in two. It is the battle and seige that made General Grant, Lincoln's new and final leader. Vicksburg was the beginning of the end.
Control of this particular bend insured the Union victory.
We're trying to figure out where the river runs now and where it used to run.
And lest you not think I was serious about our seriousness, I present Hydn Ulysses Ellsworth with his namesake.
The main features that mark Vicksburg are the sap's, parapets, and redoubts. They're still very visible, very cool, very steep, and very fun.
And the cherry on top? The resurrected 'Cairo.' Not many original ironclads just laying around. SO NEAT!
Give the younger kids the camera and they'll hang in there with you until the bitter end.
'Old Abe,' the original screaming eagle.
17,000 Federal soldiers. Only 4,000 of the soldiers are identified. Upright gravestones are used to designate the former, while the small blocks of stone indicate the unknown.
The surrender interview site between J.C. Pemberton and Grant. Pemberton almost made as high marks in my esteem as Grant. But Grant's name is cooler..
Our one and only night in a motel, and it was n.i.c.e., because we were worn out.
But never so worn out that we won't be back.
We feel so lucky, and can't wait for an excuse to go back.
It was almost worth loosing the oldest child for. :)
