UPPER LAKE, Calif. – June marks the sesquicentennial of two of the most important military campaigns ever to happen in the Western Hemisphere.

In June 1863, General Ulysses S. Grant and the Union army were besieging Vicksburg, Mississippi, attempting to capture the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River.  

Meanwhile, Confederate General Robert E. Lee was beginning his invasion of Pennsylvania in an attempt to win a victory that give the South their independence.  

More than 300,000 men were involved in these campaigns, and when they were over, nearly 100,000 were out of the war, either killed, wounded or captured.

These will be the topics at the next Redwood Empire Civil War Roundtable on Monday, June 3, at 6:15 p.m. at the Tallman Hotel in historic Upper Lake.

Dr. Mark Cooper will make the presentation on the Vicksburg campaign.  

Dr. Cooper has studied the subject for years, and has visited the battlefield sites. He will cover the maneuvering of the armies, the 45-day siege of Vicksburg and its ultimate surrender.

Phil Smoley will discuss the Gettysburg campaign, taking events right up (but not including) the Battle of Gettysburg.

He also will weave in an interesting side story that tells of the fascinating contrast of the cultures between the North and the South at that time, and how war can bring out brutality in some and chivalry in others.

The Redwood Empire Civil War Roundtable was formed to honor the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War and meets on the first Monday of each month to review the events that month 150 years ago.

Admission is free, all are welcome.  

For more information, contact Zane Jensen at 707-349-6390 or Phil Smoley at 707 264-4905.