[mainepatsfan]

"The Father of Waters again goes unvexed to the sea." - Abraham Lincoln

[Fiji Hill]

For some strange reason, Independence Day was not celebrated in Vicksburg for many decades after the War.

[PzLdr]

One of the two most brilliant strategic campaigns ever conducted in North America. And probably the best.

[Kartographer]

The USS. Cairo Museum The Cairo a ironclad gunboat was launched in January of 1862. On December 12, 1862 while in action on the Yahzo River near Vicksburg it was sunk by a electrically detonated mine. The first vessel sunk in such a manner. In the picture on top you can see the Cairo's 2 1/2" iron plating. This plating was backed by 24" thick timbers of white oak to absorb the shock of striking shells.

[niteowl77]

Over the last two years, I have read a number of books on Vicksburg, and can finally appreciate the importance of the different failed attempts and the siege/battles proper. One of Niteowl77's great-great-grandfathers was peripherally involved in the campaign, being by then a member of the 1st Infantry Regiment, U.S. Mississippi Marine Brigade.

Most of my schoolteachers fed me the Eastern battles over and over, but few touched on the Western theatre except for Shiloh. Finding out about dw's ancestor and researching such an obscure outfit helped to remedy some holes in my education.

Mr. Niteowl77

(Gratuitous Independence Day observation: exactly one year later (July 4, 1864), the MMB saw action downriver at Coleman's Plantation.)