1917 Vicksburg Civil War Veterans Reunion, Mississippi: Music by John Philip Sousa

From October 16-19, 1917, the second largest Civil War Veterans reunion took place at Vicksburg, Mississippi. This was a very large undertaking. It brought together veterans of the Union Army of Tennessee and the Confederate Army of Mississippi. Over 12,000 veterans were accommodated on the battlefield. They were housed, fed and given all other amenities for there comfort.

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During the Civil War, the city surrendered during the Siege of Vicksburg, after which the Union Army gained control of the entire Mississippi River. The 47-day siege was intended to starve the city into submission. Its location atop a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River proved otherwise impregnable to assault by federal troops. The surrender of Vicksburg by Confederate General John C. Pemberton on July 4, 1863, together with the defeat of General Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg the day before, has historically marked the turning point of the Civil War in the Union's favor.

This video is made for educational purposes for fair use under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976.