Vicksburg, Mississippi National Battlefield

We traveled from Tupelo to Vicksburg, Mississippi  located on the banks of the Mississippi River and began the "chasing stamps" process.  One of our main stops was Vicksburg National Military Park.  

Confederate President Jefferson Davis remarked, "Vicksburg is the nailhead that holds the South’s two halves together.” At the start of the Civil War, Confederates controlled the Mississippi River south of Cairo, Illinois all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. With its valuable commercial port and railroad hub, the city was of tremendous importance. From points west of the Mississippi River men, food, salt, and weapons, were funneled through Mexico and made their way to Vicksburg and Confederate armies in the East. 


President Abraham Lincoln also realized the necessity to capture Vicksburg. Remarking, "Vicksburg is the key! The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket.” The capture of this "Gibraltar of the Confederacy" was an immediate priority for Lincoln. If Vicksburg fell, Union forces could isolate Texas, Arkansas, and much of Louisiana, cutting off Confederate supplies and personnel. 

As the war progressed, Federal naval and ground forces pushed south from Illinois, and north from the Gulf of Mexico as they closed in on Vicksburg. In 1863, they set their sights on Vicksburg, the Fortress City. The fate of the Confederacy would lie largely with the fate of Vicksburg.  At 10 AM on July 4, white flags were displayed from the Confederate works, and the brave men in gray marched out of their entrenchments, stacked their arms, removed their accouterments, and furled their flags. The victorious Union army now marched in and took possession the city. The fall of Vicksburg, coupled with the defeat of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in the battle of Gettysburg fought over July 1-3, 1863, marked the turning point of the Civil War.  The Union had won.

I'll admit that I had help from the internet to compile this blog.  Hope you enjoyed the history lesson.  

The last night we were in Vicksburg, Mississippi, we went out to eat at Rusty's, a popular restaurant on the water.  A river boat blocked the view of the river, but that was OK.  It also blocked the sun from our eyes.  We had to wait for a table.  A cute little fellow, his slightly older sister, and his mom were also waiting for a table. He was playing the role of the pesty little brother and was about to cause a problem.  I asked him if I could see the children's magazine he had in his hand.  We got acquainted over that magazine.  Finally he got up the nerve to ask why I was in "that" chair. (My power chair).  I gave him a simple answer and he accepted it.  He talked with me the whole time they waited for a table and didn't bother his sister again.  Their mom thanked me when they got their table.  We happened to be seated near them and he kept saying hello to me.  As we left, they also left.  He wanted to give me the picture he colored while waiting on his order to be brought to the table.  His name was Reed.  He was a very smart fellow and very thoughtful.  Highlight of my day. 

2018 trip to the SW, USA

It seems I'm late in beginning the blog of our motor home trip to the SW.  I haven't blogged since the 2015 Alaska Caravan in 2015.  My memory fails me, but thanks to Stacey, my daughter-in-law, and Buck, my live-in computer geek, hopefully, I have remembered how to do it. We appreciate your following us in our quest to visit all the states in our motor home.

We left home on Monday, May 14, headed west.  Our first stop was a little town in Georgia just south of Chattanooga TN. We'd camped in Georgia before, bet we didn't want to drive all the way from Shelby to Tupelo in one day.  For two days we spent time "chasing down stamps,: or at least that's what I call the process of driving to a national park, visiting the visitor's center, and going to the "stamping station."  At this point Buck opens his PASSPORT book for national parks and uses the stamp to indicate the name of the national park and the date of our visit.  This process is called "cancelling the stamp." Buck is truly dedicated to this new hobby. In fact, he planned this entire trip around the location of national parks.  As you continue to follow us you will be surprised at the location of some of these parks.

After two nights in Georgia, we drove to Tupelo, Mississippi, the birthplace of Elvis Aaron Presley.  No, this was not a national park, but Buck knew he couldn't let me miss going to Elvis's birthplace.

We learned that Elvis was born into a share-cropper family on January 8, 1935.  They lived in a two-room house that his father and grandfather built. Probably everyone knows that he was a twin.  His brother, Jessie Garon Presley, was a still-born baby and was born first. I know they must have been so relieved that Elvis was a healthy baby.  You can't help but think of how life would have played out for Elvis if his brother had lived.  Maybe they would have become the Presley Brothers and gain all the fame that Elvis earned.  Or maybe Jesse would not have been musical at all.

I've included a few pictures of the house and the outhouse.  This is the original location of the house.

Notice the radio on the dresser.

The first song Elvis sang in public was at his church.  The song - Jesus Loves Me.  He was about 5 years old.  When he was 11, his mom, Gladys, took him to a hardware store where she planned on buying him a hunting rifle.  A guitar caught her eye and Elvis tried it out.  They didn't buy the rifle after all.  This was the beginning of Elvis with a guitar.  His pastor at the church taught Elvis how to play it.  When Elvis was 13, he sang a farewell song and played his guitar for his Milam Junior High class before moving to Memphis where his father hoped to make a better life for his family.  Nine years later, Elvis returned to the fairgrounds and performed a benefit concert for the City of Tupelo.  The proceeds were used to purchase his birthplace and make a park for the neighborhood children.

Assembly of God Church

Quick update.  We're headed to the southwest US tomorrow.  We will keep you posted right here on our blog page.  See you soon.