Steven Driskell and Joey Migues. Two changes for the Jackson event this year; ball moved to the Civic Center and the battlefield didn't catch on fire.

Paul Boudreaux and James Chauvin were among the thousands attending the Gettysburg Event during the July 4th weekend. Both commented on having a great time and it was well worth the trip.

The same weekend found Steven Driskell in Vicksburg, Mississippi for living history scenarios at the Old Court House, National Park and Balfour House. See related story below.

VICKSBURG

The Vicksburg Living History scenarios consisted of several locations over a three day period, July 3-5, 1998.

Confederate High Command study the situation

The first scenario portrayed the meeting held by the Confederate high command held on July 2, 1863 where the decision to surrender was reached. The reenactment was held in the court room of the Old County Courthouse.

General Pemberton had instructed each division commander in writing to determine the feasibility and practicality of attempting a breakout based on the condition of their respective commands, to keep the strictest secrecy in making their determinations and to come to the meeting prepared to discuss the matter.

Each man came having essentially made up his mind as to the course he thought correct and each presented their respective views and defended them, some very passionately, some passively. 45 days of siege have passed after fighting a disatrous 2 week campaign. Rifle caps and food are extremely scarce. The men have lain in the trenches for 45 days with out any hope of rotating off the line. Disease is rampant particularly dysentery. The daily ration is 2 small biscuits, probably pea bread, a spoon of peas or rice and 2 small strips of meat (questionable source). The draft animals are used to pull ambulances and are thus unavailable to pull the artillery, or they have been eaten. When a horse or mule is killed it is issued for meat ration. At peak bombardment times as many as 60,000 shells fall into the city each day.

Bill Calloway (seated) as Lt General Pemberton, Steven Driskell (left) as Major Lockett and Dennis Neal (right) as Lt Colonel Montgomery