Antebellum

Antebellum. . , Springfield Neighborhood , You are in Vicksburg's oldest neighborhood where many structures are antebellum. An-te-bel-lum is derived from Latin meaning "before the war.", Duff Green Mansion , In 1856 a wealthy cotton broker, Duff Green, built his mansion using skilled enslaved labor and bricks that were fired on-site. This grand home survived the Siege of Vicksburg because Green designated it a "hospital" where both Confederate and Union soldiers were treated. After the surrender, recuperating Union soldiers took control of the home. , Defending Morals , In early Vicksburg, the Kangaroo Saloon stood just north of here. It grew into a lawless entertainment establishment and a gambler's refuge. In July of 1835, local citizens were sick of the drunken incidents and got together to roust the gamblers who were just as determined to stay. A monumental event and bloody riot left six people dead including the citizens' leader Doctor Hugh Bodley. One block to the north is the monument erected in honor of his sacrifice while helping to improve Vicksburg. , Photo captions , Bottom left: Mark Twain noted in his book "Life on the Mississippi" (1883) that conversation still "drifted into talk about the lynching of the gamblers in Vicksburg half a century ago"! , Top Right: Duff Green Mansion 1864 , Bottom right: The day Vicksburg "cleaned house" was still newsworthy 72 years later!