Civil War, Teddy Bears and Blues (2nd September)

The siege of Vicksburg was a turning point in the Civil War. An extensive National Military Park covers the land on which a number of battles between the Union and the Confederates fought. Vicksburg never fell in battle, however in the end the confederates had to surrender due to illness and lack of supplies. Reinforcements never arrived. The view over the Mississippi showed how Vicksburg stood on a natural ridge which helped in its defense. There is also a restored iron-clad steamer showing the early defenses of the ships used by the Union on the Mississippi. On the grounds are buried some 17,000 Union soldiers, the result of not only the battles at Vicksburg but also in nearby conflicts. We also visit the Confederate cemetery where there is interred a special Confederate member. Leaving Vicksburg we head to a town called Onward. Ted is extremely interested in this town as it is where Teddy Roosevelt refused to shoot the bear cub, and hence the Teddy Bear was born. And in nearby Rolling Fork, they have a yearly festival where they have a chain saw sculpting competition, where the result is the best looking Teddy Bear. Our last stops for the day are at the two resting places (yes, two, which is the right one nobody is sure) of Robert Johnson, one of the most influential Blue's singer and guitarist, even if his fame came only after he died. We stay at Indianola, home of B. B. King.