Hey Joe, didn't know you came from Beaumont. My wife's cousin Chuck Mullins was one of your fire chiefs until he retired a year or two ago. Her family is mostly spread between New Orleans, Waco and San Antonio so Beaumont is usually host to a family reunion around each 4th of July. Kind of a central location.

We seem to have gotten most of the rain Stan mentioned. My son was at a church camp last week in DeRidder Louisiana and some reports are as much 16 inches fell there.

Back to topic. If memory serves the city of Vicksburg did not officially celebrate the 4th of July until 1945. I guess this parade was an early sign of getting past Pemberton's bright idea of surrendering on the 4th of July in hopes of getting better terms from Grant.