Vicksburg National Military Park Of course all this is dwarfed by the events that occurred over 47 days in the late spring of 1863. With the Civil War in its second year, Union forces had secured all parts of the Mississippi except Vicksburg and Port Hudson. Vicksburg was considered most vital by the Confederacy for keeping the two half of the Confederate States tied together. Recently promoted Ulysses S. Grant was given the task of clearing all resistance on the Mississippi. Federal Park Around the same time General John C. Pemberton took charge of some 50,000 Confederate soldiers defending Vicksburg. Grant made two failed attempts to take Vicksburg by river assault using gun boats from New Orleans. He then decided to attack by land. Leading 45,000 Union troops, he crossed the Bayou west of the river, then crossed the Mississippi at Port Gibson, south of Vicksburg. After marching on Jackson, the State Capital with little resistance, Grant marched west back to the Mississippi and Vicksburg. Grant expected an easy win. Without hesitation he launched attacks on May 19th and again on May 22nd. His attempts were thrown back with heavy losses. Federal park Understanding the futility of further assaults Grant settled in to a long time siege, using heavy artillery from both the Union lines east of Vicksburg and by the gun boats which had returned to shell the city. With no possibility of relief, and with food and ammunition running low, General Pemberton surrendered the City on July 4th. A federal park now makes up the north and west skirmish lines with an information center and museum which shows an 18 minute movie depicting the events. There are many statues and plaques, a Union cemetery and the remains of the Cairo, a Union gun boat sunk by the first ever electronically detonated mine situated around the grounds.
Isle of Capri Vicksburg’s claim to the entertainment world in present days is its 4 casinos. The Ameristar, Isle of Capri, Rainbow, and Harrah's, where the food is great. All places offer some sort of Buffet and at least one other class restaurant and all stay open all night 7 days a week. Our preference for food, drinks and service was Ameristar.

*** THE END ***

Back      <<<<< Back       HOME PAGE