We drove across the state of
Mississippi to Vicksburg where we spent the night. In the morning,
we took a ride through the Vicksburg National Military Park, the site
of the Siege of Vicksburg during the American Civil War. Vicksburg
was considered to be very important because it was believed that
capturing Vicksburg would sever the Confederate Army in two and open
the Mississippi River to Northern traffic along its entire length.
The first attempt to capture Vicksburg began in the summer of 1862
and officially ended on July 4, 1863.
The Park is in a beautiful, peaceful
setting filled with monuments acknowledging the placement of the
Union and Confederate troops. Driving through the area, it is
difficult to imagine the brutality of war that took place. But, in
fact, it is thought that more than 19,000 soldiers died there. It
served to remind me that no matter how just or urgent the reason for
war, the true legacy of war is always the same.
As we drove away from the cemetery, I
found myself longing for a time when our history isn't told so much
as a series of recorded wars and battles but as a record of our
humanity and achievements.
11 comments:
that cemetery is still oddly beautiful.
I grew up with a Civil War / history fanatic and teacher - my mom. I hardly remember a vacation trip that didn't include a battlefield, park, plantation or cemetery and I have to confess utter and complete fascination with it all. I pondered the terror of having your farm or neighboring lands invaded, your normalcy shattered and so much loss of life over a difference of opinion/value/belief. As a child I could never grasp how they could not sit down and come to a resolution, a compromise, a mutually agreeable course of action. It was so much simpler in my mind.
Beautiful and moving pictures.
I love your photos of this area. Vicksburg is so rich in history. My dad is a Civil War buff and has quite a large collection of artifacts. Your images make me want to visit there. The vertical position of the cemetery is perfect and I wouldn't have thought to do that!
I've never been to Vicksburg, but would love to visit sometime. I enjoy military history. Wonderful photos!
i would love to see this in person. i bet it is amazing. i know that is probably not the right term. but similar to the time we saw the "Custer National Battlefield" .. the loss was great. but to see it was an experience i will never forget. the ones that fought you honor them. i agree times have so changed. thank you for sharing. ( :
enjoy your weekend!! all the best to you.
Beautiful photos and a beautiful place but also a place of sorrow and sadness. I guess all cemeteries are but when they are there as the result of war it seems overwhelming sad to me.
Beautiful thought, and I agree with you. And it is so ironic that these peaceful places once were the places of such tragedy.
We live near Appomattox. Have you been there?
Nice pictures.. Congrats..
loved the last sentence, how true!!
also love your new header!!
Such a beautiful and peaceful countryside in these shots that it is indeed difficult to imagine now the horrors of long past wars and those who died there.
An interesting post with some nice pictures.
Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.
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