Civil War discussions planned for library

Published 12:41 am Sunday, September 30, 2012

The Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library will be one of four libraries in the state participating in Making Sense of the American Civil War, a reading and discussion program being held in connection with the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War.

Presented by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the program consists of four sessions — Oct. 9, 18, 30 and Nov. 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. ­— in the library auditorium.

“We’re happy to be one of four libraries participating in this program,” library director Deb Mitchell said. “We were chosen because of Vicksburg’s involvement in the Civil War. The cities in the state that were selected were chosen because they had a significant involvement in the Civil War.

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“We are asking people who are interested in participating in the sessions to come in and register as soon as possible.”

Other cities selected were Hattiesburg and Cleveland. A fourth city has not been named.

During the program, participants will read three books on the Civil War — “March,” “Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam” and “America’s War: Talking about the Civil War and Emancipation on their 150th Anniversaries,” which will be discussed during the four sessions. Dr. Toby Bates, assistant professor of history at the Mississippi State University-Meridian campus, will moderate the discussions.

“We already have the books on reserve at the library,” Mitchell said. “We have received copies from the Mississippi State Library and they have already been marked. Participants can ask for them at the front desk. This is a good program, especially when put it in connection with the anniversary of the Siege.”

Vicksburg will observe the sesquicentennial of the Siege of Vicksburg on Memorial Day 2013. The observance is one of many Civil War observances and re-enactments in the state.

One re-enactment program set for October is the Battle of Raymond, which is scheduled for Oct. 18-21. Public events are Oct. 20-21, including the Battle of Raymond at 10 a.m. on Oct. 20 and the Battle of Champion Hill at 3 p.m. Another re-enactment is set for Oct. 21. The programs are sponsored by the Friends of Raymond.