July 4th. The celebration of Independence. Celebrated throughout all America since 1777. Not quite so...
In 1863, General Grant ordered his Union army to march south. Much of this year, General Sherman spent most of his time in Mississippi. On July 4, 1863, "Vicksburg surrendered, and orders were given for at once attacking General Johnston." (from Memoirs of General William T. Sherman)
That day marked a day not as celebration, but a day of mourning, which the citizens of Vicksburg, MS, recognized for over a hundred years.
Now that you've had your history lesson for the day (oh the fun things you learn while researching)... happy fourth! Does your family do anything special?
2 comments:
Have you ever been to any of these reenactment groups? They are well-worth going to see. I used to be a part of a reenactment group called the Buckskinners. We were a little earlier than civil war groups, but we would see them at national events. Great history lessons.
@ Sharon - yes, I've been to some reenactments. When we lived in Louisiana, we went to Port Hudson reenactment almost yearly. I'd like to find some around here (Mississippi) to go to. Part of it is working it out around my busy schedule. That is so neat that you were a part of one!!
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