As you all know by now, about a year ago my husband and I moved to beautiful Vicksburg, Mississippi. This little hamlet is steeped in history. One of the most defining battles near the end of the War Between the States, occurred on the very ground I walk every single day.
Vicksburg was under seige for 47 days. Fighting occurred on all sides of the city. People sought refuge underground in suffocating caves during the scorching heat of summer. Cannon fire rocked the city. The sky lit up with explosions. People ate bugs and whatever plants they could scrounge up. No supplies could make it through the federalist lines surrounding the town. The water supply had been contaminated by dead bodies and raw sewage.
Finally, on July 4, 1863, with a near starved to death, diseased, bone weary regiment of demoralized men, General John Pemberton surrendered the city to General Ulysses Grant. Pemberton was deemed a traitor for giving up Vicksburg, despite the fact that he saved thousands of lives by waving that white flag.
Regardless of your opinion of the events leading up to that surrender, we feel pretty special to be living in this amazing place. I often imagine, as I drive around town, what life must have been like for folks during that time.
We live about 2 miles from the Vicksburg National Military Park, the most monumented park in America and the second largest national cemetery in America. It’s an amazing place.
Frequently, in the summer months, living history performers make their way to the park and share their knowledge and talents with tourists and locals alike. The Baer-Williams House was fortunate for two days to host Dr. E C Fields, Jr., (I call him Curt) who portrays General Grant all around the country. He is a walking, talking, breathing, modern-day Ulysses S. Grant.
On the morning of July 4th, after breakfast, we had some fun with his uniform and my camera. Here’s the results:
And there’s the testimonial video we shot for use on our website:
And, here’s a shot of me. Don’t tell the General I confiscated his outfit. No telling what cruel and unusual punishment he’ll prescribe for my treachery.
Photo by C. Rickrode, July 2016 @ Baer-Williams House
For more information about Dr. Fields, what he does, why he does it, where he’s going to be next, visit: http://www.generalgrantbyhimself.com/ ; Facebook@Curt Fields ; Twitter@#ecfields1
So, I ask you dear readers, what pseudo-celebrity lives in your neck of the woods? Any famous people stop by your house for a visit? Do you enjoy living history exhibits?
Word of the Day: Uncinate
Fun fact about Me: One of my favorite school subjects has always been history.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, July 2016. Original photos and video of Curt Fields as Ulysses Grant by Patricia Rickrode. Vicksburg photos courtesy Google Images.
jansenschmidt 
Those are some great pictures, although I must confess you look less dashing in the uniform than he does. 🙂 I’d love to go see one of those historical battle reenactments sometimes, although all those gravestones are very sober. You can’t help but consider all the lives lost.
LikeLike
I must confess Coleen, I have never been to a re-enactment, but the living history stuff is pretty cool. And, yes, those headstones, most of them unmarked, are very sobering indeed.
Have a great week.
Patricia
LikeLike
John Sutter would be among the most famous of those who walked my neck of the woods. Mostly, though, Maidu Indians lived here and I love learning more about their history.
LikeLike
Ah yes, John Sutter, and most likely James Marshall, certainly did walk in your area. Sacramento has some pretty cool history as well, happening much the same time ours was getting ready to explode here.
And, long before the Europeans settled here in Vicksburg, the Choctaw Indians roamed these parts. Funny how it always goes back to the Indians huh and yet the black folks want to make everything about them.
As always, thanks for visiting. I love hearing from my California friends.
Patricia
LikeLike
No celebrities in our neighborhood, although 55 years ago I walked the same stage as John Deutschendorf (I think he got tired of spelling that, so he changed it to Denver.) to get my high school diploma.
LikeLike
Wow – you went to school with John Denver? That’s pretty cool. My brush with real fame? I performed in a community theater production in Sacramento with Jessica Chastain when she was still in high school. I have the pictures to prove it.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience. Always cool to hear from my readers.
Patricia
LikeLike
This is so cool! Though I’m not sure the general’s uniform is “you,” cute pic!
There are lots of famous people from Dayton, but none (at least that I’m aware of) still around. Charles F. Kettering’s house is not far from where I live, though he’s long gone.
LikeLike
I think, probably, every neighborhood has something special if you look hard enough. I have learned a lot about Dayton from you and your blogs. Looks like a pretty cool place.
Thanks for visiting. Have a wonderful week.
Patricia
LikeLike