Jackson and Vicksburg

Friday, August 31, 2012

How can August be over already?  Had grits casserole for breakfast and orange rolls.  Another great Southern breakfast.  Vicksburg National Battlefield still closed today so will go into Jackson before driving to Vicksburg.  First we drove to the State Capitol building.  It was beautiful, 9 kinds of marble and lots of light.  Very beautiful ceilings in the main dome and in the Senate and Representatives chambers.  They were not in session, so we were able to go in

 A very nice lady told us all about the Capitol and then told us how to get to the Governor’s mansion and told us about the 11 am tour.  We walked there and had a personal tour of the governor’s mansion.  He no longer lives here but they do hold state dinners here and occasionally people actually stay in the house.  It is a beautiful Greek revival mansion that has been beautifully restored and furnished with period furniture.  They have magnificent pieces of furniture, chandeliers, and art. 

On toward Vicksburg.  We stopped in a Starbuck’s on the way, not very common around here and sent out a few blogs.  Arrived at the visitor’s center and found out that the Battlefield had just opened so we went and watched the movie about the battle and siege of Vicksburg and visited the museum.  We will do the 16 mile drive tomorrow.  This was a long, arduous battle.  There were many casualties on both sides.  The Federal troops were unable to penetrate the Confederate lines and fortifications so Grant finally cut off all supplies, kept firing into the city and finally they surrendered on July 4, 1863, after 47 days.  They did not celebrate the 4^th of July here for 82 years. 

We stayed at the Rodeway Inn as it was sooo hot.  I got interviewed by the Jackson news in the parking lot of another motel because the manager had been arrested that morning for price gouging (due to the hurricane).  He asked me to comment on how I felt about that.  Maybe I will be on the news.  Jack made me do the interview!   We went down to the waterfront area and viewed all the murals.  They were quite lovely and really told the story of Vicksburg.  We learned how Teddy Bears got their name.  Theodore Roosevelt came to this area for a bear hunting expedition.  The guide who had previously killed many bear went out scouting to ensure a successful hunt. He could not locate any large bear, so tied a small bear to a tree.  When Theodore Roosevelt saw the bear, he refused to kill him and that is how Teddy Bears came to be.