Vicksburg
“Vicksburg is the key. The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket.” Abraham Lincoln.
And he was right. Rob and I knew it. Which was why, disguised as harmless Canadian tourists, we found ourselves in Vicksburg, Mississippi this fine, sunny day: to win, for ourselves, the key to America. To fulfill all of Rob’s childhood hopes and dreams.
Stealthily, we made our way to the battleground, now known as the Vicksburg National Military Park. Lucky break: the park admission was free this week, as were all National Parks in America! Our plan was exceeding beyond expectations.
Inside the visitor’s cent(r)er, the park ranger was playing a tin whistle, spinning a yarn about Guinness beer and his youth spent in Ireland. Sigh. Guinness. I love you, Guinness. But I digress…
With the ranger being so distracted, how could we fail? Purchasing the interactive CD for the car, we set out to bring our plan to fruition: tour the park and learn more about the siege of Vicksburg during the Civil War! What. We’re Canadian. What kind of plan did you think we would have??
This site was far more interesting a tour than Gettsyberg. Sure, I was in High School when we (history class) went to Gettsyberg, but even Rob agreed.
By the way, if you don’t know your history (it’s U.S. history for my non-American readers), the siege of Vicksburg was won by the Union lead by General Grant’s army. Not by either me or my faithful companion. Now, it’s time for a Guinness. Sigh…