Few People Know Hundreds Of Caves Were Once Home To An Entire Town In Mississippi
Mississippi isn’t exactly known for its caves. However, at one time, Vicksburg was home to hundreds of them. That’s right; in the midst of the Civil War, caves were scattered throughout the town and surrounding countryside. The man-made caves provided shelter from the constant bombings by the Union army during the 47-day siege of the city. Keep reading to learn more about cave life in Vicksburg.
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During the siege of Vicksburg, constant bombings were the norm.
In the end, the city was home to more than 500 caves! They varied in size and shape. Some could only hold a few people, while others could hold dozens.
A typical cave, though, was the "size of a large room, high enough for the tallest person to stand perfectly erect." Many cave owners even furnished their temporary abodes with a few comforts from home.
However, despite their attempts at achieving comfort, the caves were just the opposite. Because of the poor conditions, many residents stayed in the caves only during bombardments and at night.
At the end of the siege, less than 20 civilians were killed by the bombardment, so it seems the caves served their purpose. Once citizens returned to their homes, the caves were simply abandoned, leaving nature to take its course. Over the years, the caves have completely vanished from the landscape, which is pretty remarkable since they were so abundant during the war.
So, did you know about this part of Vicksburg’s past? Tell us in the comments section.
Mississippi is full of interesting history related to the Civil War. Read about another incident, which has left behind some haunting effects, here.
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for the past 25 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships, working for The Royal Obsession and Anatomie clothing. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as Parents & Kids Magazine and Girl Meets Strong. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
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