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.
During the siege of Vicksburg, constant bombings were the norm.
oldcourthouse.org
In order to protect themselves from the barrage of shrapnel raining down on the city, citizens dug caves into the sides of hills for shelter.
nps.gov
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.
oldcourthouse.org
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.
nps.gov
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.
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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.
oldcourthouse.org
nps.gov
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.
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