The 30 Minute Rule begins April 15 at 7:00 PM EDT. An Initial Bid Must Be Placed By April 15 at 6:00 PM EDT To Participate After 6:00 PM EDT
Civil War-dated ALS signed “R. R. Townes A.A.G.,” one page, 7.75 x 9.75, Headquarters, Commander of the Post, 17th Army Corps, Department of the Tennessee letterhead, July 15, 1863. Handwritten extract from "Special Orders No. 7," in part: "All Confederate officers and Soldiers now in this City who have been paroled and are able to march are instructed to report to Lt. Col. Kent Prevost Marshal General at 9 o'clock A.M. the 15th day at the Court House. They will report provided with all the articles which they are entitled to take with them by the articles of Capitulation. Those claiming to be unable to march will be examined by Surgeon A. H. Brundage." In fine condition.
The Confederate surrender of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, marked a turning point in the Civil War, giving the Union complete control of the Mississippi River. After a six-week siege by Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant, Confederate General John C. Pemberton capitulated, surrendering nearly 30,000 troops. Grant, not wanting to guard and feed thousands of rebel captives, offered to immediately parole all prisoners of war. The fall of Vicksburg, combined with the Union victory at Gettysburg a day earlier, dealt a severe blow to the Confederacy's hopes of independence.
