One hundred and forty-five years ago, artillery looked like these cannons located in Vicksburg National Military Park.
Here is this modern version.
I'll be the first one to admit that I am not much of a Civil War historian and I'll leave the discussions of the reasoning why, results and aftermath to those who care to argue amongst themselves in futility.
Personally, I think it's a very dark and disturbing chapter of America's history and if we could only turn back the clock. . .
When I come to Vicksburg I am intrigued by the history and the relics of the era. Like the giant cannon below. This thing is gigantic, nearly five feet high at the "cascabel" or the little knob-like protrusion from the rear of the barrel. I cannot even imagine having to move this thing around either by horse or man. I've hiked the hills, hollows, valleys and gullies of the terrain that makes up the Loess bluffs from Vicksburg to Natchez. There are some serious grade differences and I simply cannot fathom how they moved this thing around.
And it must have been something to touch this mother off too. In this spirit of giving, I'm certain it was better to give than receive.
There is an antebellum home in Vicksburg named Cedar Grove which bears the scars of war to this day in the form of a cannonball still lodged in a wall of the home.
The poor fellows outlined in this historical marker did not fare well either, leaving me with the bitter truth that war is truly hell.
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