Vicksburg is focus of History Detectives on MPB
( Jackson , Miss.) - Watch Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) on Monday, July 3 rd , 8:00 p.m., as PBS' History Detectives takes you to Tucson, Arizona, and back to Vicksburg for a trip in the past to learn if a family heirloom is connected to the pivotal 1863 Civil War battle.
A contributor from Tucson owns a map that he believes is connected to the Civil War siege of Vicksburg . His great-grandfather commanded several batteries in this 1863 battle, and this document has been in the family ever since.
President Lincoln called the victory at Vicksburg the "key" to breaking the back of the confederacy, giving the union armies undisputed control of the Mississippi River.
According to MPB Programming Director Art Starkey, "The July 3 rd timing of this History Detectives' episode is quite ironic, as the surrender of Vicksburg was July 4, 1863."
Tune in Monday night, 8:00, July 3 rd , on MPB as History Detectives heads to Mississippi and on to Washington , D.C. , to dig up details of this key Civil War battle.
To learn more about History Detectives and other programs on MPB, visit www.mpbonline.org .