Historically, Vicksburg, Miss., has not been a good place to be in July.
I’m happy to report that things have changed. Last week was the Sons of Confederate Veterans’ 118th annual Reunion, and it was grand.
Vicksburg itself is a lovely town, full of history, good food and the very nicest folks. Mississippi, alas, does seem to have a problem with its roads, and I have never been tailgated so much in my life.
Mind you, I drive the speed limit or 5 miles per hour over it. I stay in the right-hand land unless passing, and still I had people trying to attach themselves to my bumper.
The Military Park is sobering, and not just because of the amount of headstones in the cemetery. It does give one pause to see the elaborate monuments of Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio and Michigan — and realize all those young men died attacking a people defending themselves against the invader.
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I worked as an aircraft mechanic for Federal Express in Memphis for a couple of years. The opportunity to visit Civil War sites was too much to pass up and at least once a month we would visit another battlefield. It was an amazing self education that a lot of people never experience and it makes an impression on oneself that is never forgotten. Vicksburg was one on the list but I think Shiloh was overwhelming. As a former soldier, the Civil War seemed almost beyond comprehension when dealing with the death and suffering the soldiers experienced. And for what....a more centralized, powerful government. How has that worked out?
ReplyDeleteExcellent comment and agree with all. The problem now is that you get indoctrinated at the battlefields now.
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