February 26 we drove over to Vicksburg MS to see the Vicksburg National Military Park. It was much larger than expected and one could spend a week or more walking around and reading all the sings and plaques.<\/p>\n
With in the park is a museum for the Civil War Ironclad U.S.S. Cairo which struck a mine and sank in 12\u00a0minutes in December 12, 1862, nobody lost their life in the sinking.<\/p>\n
The Cairo was located in the late 1950’s, eventually raised in the 1960’s and the National Park Service took possession in the 1970’s and reconstructed it. Because it sank quickly in 36 feet of water and quickly became encased in mud many artifacts were covered when they raised the ship.<\/p>\n
Then we returned to Rocky Springs for another night and will continue on down the Natchez Trace.<\/p>\n\n\t\t