Vicksburg, Mississippi Battlefield Tour Is A Must See For America

Even though J-Dub thinks a three and a half hour drive is a long way, it's really not that bad, if you're into American history, and have not seen this pivotal battlefield in the Civil War, then you are missing out on something amazing.

History is the key word here, American history to be exact. It doesn't matter how you feel about the Civil War, it happened. Some people in this country want to erase our history, pretend it didn't happen. I am not one of those. The United States of America is not a perfect country in any way, we are as flawed as anything made by human beings. We have done amazing things and bad things, not everything should be celebrated, but everything should be remembered. If for no other reason so that we do not repeat our mistakes.

Vicksburg, Mississippi was viewed as major key in turning the Civil War into the North's favor and evidently, it was exactly that.

From the National Vicksburg website:

It would also split the South in two, sever a vital Confederate supply line, achieve a major objective of the Anaconda Plan, and effectively seal the doom of Richmond. In the spring of 1863, Major General Ulysses S. Grant launched his Union Army of the Tennessee on a campaign to pocket Vicksburg and provide Mr. Lincoln with the key to victory.

Texarkana's own BSA Troop 3, the oldest Troop in the area at almost 100 years old, took a "trip down the mighty Mississipp" to see this amazing battleground last weekend and it did not disappoint.

Check out a few of the pictures below, these are only a few of the monuments and plaques you will find on this huge battlefield. When you get the chance to go, be sure you watch the movie at the visitors center first, it's short, to get an idea of where things are, how the battle was set up and what happened there. Also, don't miss the semi-restored Iron Clad ship the "Cairo" that's on display as well, it's amazing.

If you want to find out more about Scouting in the Ark-La-Tex head to the Caddo Area Council Facebook page.

For more information on planning a trip to Vickburgs, visit the Vicksburg Official Website.