Today we set off for Natchez, we decided to call into a shopping centre before we left as Jackson has a big outlet mall that has a couple of the shops we really like. We were not disappointed and managed to get some tops and a pair of shoes for me, but unfortunately no shorts! We finished shopping then set off for Vicksburg which is on the way (sort of) to Natchez. The French were the first Europeans to settle in the area that is now Vicksburg. In 1718 the French established Fort Saint Pierre on the bluffs overlooking the Yazoo River. In 1790 the Spanish founded Fort Nogales and in 1798 following a treaty with Spain, America took possession and the name was changed to Walnut Hills. In 1825 the village was incorporated as Vicksburg, named for Newitt Vick a Methodist minister who established a mission on the site. During the civil war Vicksburg’s strategic position on the bluffs high above a massive bend on the Mississippi River made it virtually impenetrable. Lincoln called it the Gibraltar of the south, and declared that “Vicksburg is the key and this war will not end until that key is in our pocket” It is the site of the defining battle of the Civil War, after a 47 day siege on the city by Union Troops, General Ulysses S Grant accepted the Confederate’s surrender of the city. After stopping at Visitor Information which is next to a park that contains a large number of cannons and large stones dedicated to the various regiments that fought in the campaign, we drove into town. We had a booklet that provided a walk around Vicksburg Heritage Trail, but unlike other places we have been they don’t seem to have a lot of information about each of the points on the walk. All the same we saw some wonderful houses, and the Old Court House is very imposing, right at the top of the hill and a wonderful building. We also walked past a few Antibelum Houses, but I think most were destroyed during the Civil War. The town is strange, it both feels a lot more touristy than Jackson but at the same time is totally empty. I am beginning to feel that people must either live underground of have a way of getting from the cars to the shops without using the road as there are loads of cars parked on the street but no people anywhere! We stopped for lunch as part of our walk around Vicksburg then went back to the car and continued the journey to Natchez. We are staying in the Grand Hotel which possibly isn’t quite as grand as the last place but is very nice. We have a room and a lounge with a balcony that overlooks the Mississippi it will be a great place to have a G&T after our explore of the neighbourhood tomorrow.
