Posted by
Gray Ghost on Monday, June 16, 2008 12:49:53 PM
This Father's Day, I took my grand children to the Vicksburg National Military Park. My oldest grandson has been reading much about this crucial campaign in American History; and he is especially interested in the Mississippi River and the ironclads that were used by both the North and South during the Civil War. The following pictures show him and my other two grandchildren at the USS Cairo at the Vicksburg Park:
Since it was Father's Day, we also decided to look at where my great-great grandfather's unit was located in the Confederate Lines during the siege. The following picture is located to the east of Fort Hill, on the northern portion of the Confederate fortifications. My great-great grandfather's cavalry unit was the "infantry support" for a two gun section of a Mississippi artillery battery. This artillery section consisted of a 12 lb. howitzer and a 6 lb. smoothbore. Unfortunately, the 6 lb. smoothbore was disabled early in the seige; so the 12 lb. howitzer was the only artillery piece left working until the surrender at this location. (My grand daughter wanted to know where her great-great-great-great grandmother was during the siege. She was quite disappointed to learn that she was back home in Choctaw County.)
I believe that our children and grand children need to learn about the history of our country. Not only does it give them a sense of "belonging" but it also shows them the great "sacrifices" made by those that went before them.
We were also lucky to see an artillery demonstration during our visit. A re-enacting group from Vicksburg fired a 12 lb. "Napoleon" at the Visitor Center. I am happy to note that (except for two old "farts" who were about my age) the entire gun crew consisted of young men between the ages of 15 and 18.
It goes without saying that we all had a great time.