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.
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.
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.
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 ***
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