Weekly Arizona journal-miner., 1907-11-20
vICKsBURo "a YEARS AFTER.

A scene gratifying Ia every Amcri
esn pa;tio, is presented AZ Nicksburg,
Wnerc the veteran. of both armies in
the Civil War are mingling AZ the re-.
the Tennessee The battlc6elds at
Vcksburg and every slope around
the city was one ~ the days Of 1863
have been included ~ tn. beautiful
National Military Park. created hy
Congress, and viii be preserved for
Nil times rs n memorial to Ice treas
Ur-d 10y the nation aud the whole
circle of states. Each state that took
part in the Nicksburg campaign is
allotted its share in the park. AMI
sany - 1.-THE states have erected mouu.
0ents worthy of the brave men who
represented them IN regiments, bri-
gades aud divisions. The states that
have not vet acted in this respect
will not neglect to honor the sons
who responded to their call To arms.
AT first. some Of the southern states
were sensitive because vicksburg was
= place wncre AN army was surrcnd
IA civilized warfare. and il il when,
AZ at Vicksburg the defense has been
pushed To the limit Of devoted cour
age, and starvation is at hand. I.ce :
fame rs thorough soldier * all the
greater for his action at Appomnttox.
Ne felt the situation to bc utterly
hopeless, and would not permit the
useless slaughter of the remnant, of "A
heroic army.
Vieksbrg mas u brilliant place in the
military annals Of the world. because
OF the profound aud daring strategy
that, from n long train of difficulties
and disnppoinimcnts. was suddenly ap
Piled aud pushed 10y much marching
ond fighting to n successful issue
Grant's first movement against Weeks
burg was by land, along roads east Of
the Mississippi river. But the vigor
onsly handled cavalry Of the Confcd
crates brok. into the Union line of
communications, and Grant saw that
&eeping IL open would weaken his main
force too much for nm Offensive nd
vance. lie therefore shifted mis- corps
70 the west side of the river, taking n
position opposite Vicksburg. where
supplies by river were within reach.
II was not an inviting place for an
army, and weeks dragged along with
much sickness and little seeming pro.
gr.ss. But By means OF steamboats,
that ran past the river batteries,
Grant, before the Confederatcs grasp.
ed the movement, crossed his army Ia
the east bank below Vicksburg, aud
marched instantly upon the Confedcr.
ate rear, cutting tncir lines of supply
and forcing them out Ia fight series
OF battles in the open. Driven back
on every field and shut up in Viaks.
burg, the army OF Pembcr,on. though
IL was much larger than Grant sup.
posed. was compelled by hunger and
the heavy pressure OF the siege TO ask
for terms.
the face Of nature the fact IL
writ large tina, the Mississippi river
was never intended TO be under two
sovcrcignties. As noon ms the people
OF the United States began to move
vest in large numbers they saw that
tn. Mississippi was their natural ar.
terry to the sea. Throughout the whole
Mississippi valley the necessity Of
keeping the main river open was u
mighty argument in recruiting the
armies Of the west. Today leading
issue before the country il the i'm.
prov"nent Of tne Mississippi and it's
main tributaries so that ships may
come anil go in the worlds most pro
do"tiv" valley. and millions Of acres
OF fertile lands be protected aud re-