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00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.

This Week in the Civil War - 607

With Lee’s army retreating from Gettysburg, in the West General John Pemberton surrendered Vicksburg, Mississippi to Federal forces commanded by Ulysses Grant.  Approximately 29,000 Confederates surrendered after weeks of siege by Federal forces. 

When Union soldiers entered the city, many soldiers—acting without orders—began to hand out food to the departing Confederates and Vicksburg’s civilian population.  It was obvious to all that the Confederate troops and civilians were starving as a result of Grant’s siege of the city. 

On July 4, 1863 an overjoyed Abraham Lincoln learned both of Lee’s retreat from Gettysburg and of Grant’s triumph at Vicksburg.  It is said that the president of the United States cried tears of joy over the news. Union forces now held the initiative in the American Civil War.