 |
這首1863年的歌：「絕不投降 (快版) 」，是為了紀念防守威克斯堡的士兵而寫的
|
|
|
|
尤利塞斯·格蘭特 (Ulysses
S. Grant) 將軍試圖奪下密西西比州的威克斯堡 (Vicksburg) ：1863年5月19日
格蘭特率領軍隊展開長達六周的圍城行動，將威克斯堡層層包圍，不但切斷所有補給線，而且利用持續對威克斯堡開火掩護，慢慢進逼到南方與北方士兵能夠互相叫罵的距離。到了6月中，密西西比河沿岸已經有8萬名聯邦士兵駐紮，對著威克斯堡示威。為了要逃出這個困境，威克斯堡的居民逃到山中的洞穴裡。聯邦軍隊的士兵將這些山坡洞穴
稱為「土撥鼠村落」 (Prairie
Dog Village) 。雖然洞穴中的百姓又餓又累，但是他們還是懷抱著希望。
Grant settled down to a six-week siege, surrounding the city, cutting off supply lines, firing upon Vicksburg continually, and moving in so close that, at some points, Union and Confederate soldiers held their lines within shouting distance. By mid-June, 80,000 Union troops camped on the Mississippi River bluffs above the city. To escape shells, Vicksburg residents left their homes for caves in the city's hills. The Union soldiers called this maze of dugouts "Prairie Dog Village." The people of the village were starving and tired but still held on to hope.
2/3 頁
|
