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Post by oldpop2000 on Jul 4, 2019 11:47:36 GMT -6
For those of us in the US, today we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence from England. Actually, the signing was accomplished on the 2nd of July but the Continental Congress approved the declaration on the 4th, so that is when we celebrate it.
This is another important day, not for the Confederacy but for the Union. On the 4th of July, 1863, General John Pendleton surrendered Vicksburg, Mississippi to U.S. Grant. Vicksburg was the last port and access point to the western Confederate states of Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. The South was essentially split in two. New Orleans, the largest city had fallen almost immediately with Corinth falling after the Battle of Shiloh. This last city was at the confluence of two major railroads. The surrender of 30,000 Confederate troops followed the three day battle of Gettysburg which had ended on the 3rd of July, 1863. This is where Lee lost about 28,000 men killed, wounded or captured and began his retreat from Pennsylvania to the Rappahannock River. It was not the end of the Civil War but it was probably began the downhill slide. You cannot lose well over 58,000 men when you are outnumbered four to one by your enemy.
Anyway, Happy Fourth of July to all of us in the US. Eat a good meal and party.
Oldpop2000
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Post by williammiller on Jul 4, 2019 19:52:55 GMT -6
Happy Independence Day USA!
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