Vicksburg
Layover days to sight see and relax a bit.
Yesterday we toured the Vicksburg Military Park. The tour traverses the Federal and Confederate lines with interpretive sites along the way. I had never really known much about the Vicksburg campaign and this tour is really informative. Amazing to see the scope and magnitude of the events of that made up that conflict. I can’t begin to describe it all except to recommend a visit here and to spend time learning about it. As always, start with the Visitor Center Video. Another recommendation: there are audio tours (one and two+ hours) for sale. We borrowed the one hour tour from our RV park. It really adds to the understanding of what you are seeing.
Recreation of what Confederate line would have looked like (for several miles). Federal soldiers actually dug trenches to within a few feet and sometimes under of the base of these fortifications.
This picture was taken from Confederate line. Fortification is just to the left. Federal position was along ridge in distance. Zigzag trench allowed Federal soldiers to get close to fortification. Diggers were protected by large rolling cylinder (log like) that blocked rifle shots. Zigzag kept Confederates from looking down length of trench. This system worked well enough for Federals to get close enough to actually tunnel under Confederate fortifications in several places.
Only structure to survive battle. (Since restored, obviously)
House at time of Vicksburg battle and siege.
Tunnel dug through ridge to keep soldiers from exposing themselves.
View from other side of tunnel. Confederate position was distant ridge. Federals made it about 3/4 up the slope in the center several times but never breached the line.
Trenches dug along ridge line to allow protected movement. There were miles of these trenches, all dug by hand.
Restoration of ironclad warship Cairo (pronounced kay-ro). First warship to be sunk by ‘torpedo’(mine). It lay at bottom of Mississippi River for 90 years. Was discovered/located by Vicksburg Military Park archeologist and after much effort was raised and restored to give excellent view of size and structure of boat.
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Today we took the driving tour loop of Vicksburg. Goes through many areas including much of the historic old part and passes many old buildings from very small to mansions. Seems like every mansion is now a Bed and Breakfast and happy to give you a tour – for a price. They do take plastic :) .
This one has a feature of note. It has a two story privy. Couldn’t get in back to see it. :(
Tourists
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