Alabama

Nationally renowned speaker, award winning author of 15 books, famous Civil War historian, former National Park Service Chief Historian, television commentator, recognized preservationist and popular battlefield guide, Edwin C. Bearss (pronounced BARZ),  will discuss "The Rebel Victory at Vicksburg" at 7:00, July 8, 2010 in the Chan Auditorium, Business Administration Building, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama.  Introduction by Paul Bryant, Jr. (Board of Trustees Civil War Preservation Trust -CWPT and trustee for the Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond, VA) from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  Admission $10.00.  Proceeds donated to the Civil War Preservation Trust.  Advance registration suggested.  Sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Civil War Round Table.  (256) 971-6952.  P.O. Box 7382, Huntsville, AL, 35807. 

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The event is an evening with Edwin C. Bearss  wherein Ed will retell the story richly described in his book "Rebel Victory at Vicksburg." His talk is about the 1862 Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, or the FIRST Vicksburg Campaign, which predated Grant's Vicksburg victory by nearly a full year.  It is the story of the grim determination of the Confederate soldiers, sailors and marines who broke the siege and unleashed the ironclad gunboat, CSS Arkansas, against the overwhelming but equally determined naval forces of future admirals Farragut and Davis and a detachment of The Army of the Gulf under Major General Benjamin Butler.  The Confederate success at Vicksburg in 1862 prolonged the war for the control of the Mississippi River for at least one more year and greatly uplifted hopes for the survival of a new Southern nation.