Today marks the 150th Anniversary of the surrender of Vicksburg. I'm sure that will be overshadowed by all of the attention focused on Gettysburg this week. The Western Theater battles often get overlooked by folks who prefer to focus their attention on the Eastern Theater. However, it is my firm belief that the South lost the war in the Western Theater (or the North won it there, depending on your viewpoint). I had hoped that the western campaigns would get equal coverage during the 150th, but that may not be the case.
As I mentioned in a previous blog post, my wife and I spent a lovely week in Vicksburg two and a half years ago. I really enjoy the town and the people. My goal is to one day go back and hike the battlefield, but I fear that my back will not allow that now. Vicksburg happens to be the closest National Battlefield Park to my house...though it is a 7 hour drive. Pea Ridge is second and it comes in around 8 hours or so. That is the problem with being a Civil War Addict in Southeast Texas. It is hard to get your Civil War "fix" by visiting battlefields.
So here are my questions for the day. 1. Is there an Eastern bias in mainstream Civil War history/students. 2. If there is, why might that be? This is what I will be reflecting on today. Along with the gratitude that I don't have to live in a town under siege.
I will leave you with a quote from this Lincoln fellow who said that "Vicksburg is the key." The next update may not be until Saturday evening or Sunday. I have to work 3-12 tonight followed by 730(am) to 4:30 tomorrow. So if you leave or post a comment and I don't get back to you right away, be not offended! I will as soon as I can.
My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Civil War Addict.
Texas Monument at Vicksburg
Photo by N.E.H.
May be used with attribution to this page
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