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NEWS > U.S.A. > UNDELIVERED CIVIL WAR MESSAGE ARRIVES A LITTLE TOO LATE TO HELP
UNDELIVERED CIVIL WAR MESSAGE ARRIVES A LITTLE TOO LATE TO HELP
December 27 2010
Richmond, VA – There has never been a conflict in the history of the world quite like the U.S. Civil War. Countries have certainly engaged in internal conflict before, many times much bloodier, but the Civil War was a different entity entirely not just because 
of its actions, but because of its effects. The outcome of that conflict shaped the future of the United States, the country that less than a century later would become one of the most influential ever established whose impact has been felt across the globe. If the war had gone a different way, we would most certainly be living in a different world.
The influence of the United States in the years since the Civil War is undeniable, everything from polio vaccines to movies to the internet simply would not have come about, at least not in the way they did, were it not for the union of that once divided country. While there is certainly no way to plot out a world without a United United States of America, her influence over the globe is evidence enough that our lives would be much different. Of course the people who fought in that conflict weren’t imaging such grand plans. They fought for country and for home and for family, and ultimately many died in that battle. Now all these years after the end of that war a new message which would have done nothing to change the outcome has finally arrived at its destination, an effort better late than never.
“He's saying, 'I can't help you. I have no troops, I have no supplies, I have no way to get over there. It was just another punctuation mark to just how desperate and dire everything was,” said Catherine M. Wright from the Museum of the Confederacy of the now decoded message which had been intended for Vicksburg, Mississippi.
“Gen'l Pemberton:
You can expect no help from this side of the river. Let Gen'l Johnston know, if possible, when you can attack the same point on the enemy's lines. Inform me also and I will endeavor to make a diversion. I have sent some caps (explosive devices). I subjoin a despatch from General Johnston,” was the actual text of the message. It’s 
not clear if the message was not delivered because of the defeat of the fort at Vicksburg, if something happened to the messenger, or if he betrayed his people and allowed them to be overrun by Union forces.
“One could argue, in the scope of all the history that has come since, that the Civil War was one of the most important events in the history of the world. That it is one par with the sacking of Rome, the crucifixion of Christ, or the discovery of the New World itself. It was a profound event that has forever changed our destiny,” said Scrape TV Historical analyst Lars Luger. “While this message would certainly not have changed that outcome in any way, it is an interesting document of the time that shows how far our communication has come.”
The Siege of Vicksburg is widely considered a major turning point of the war.
“One has to remember that back in those days there was no internet, there were no phones and so hand communication was all that could be utilized. Today the message would have just been texted. It would have had the same impact, but at least it would have gotten to the intended recipients,” continued Luger. “Information is always the most powerful tool in any war and if, say, Confederate forces had email access the course of the conflict and of human history would have been much different. Of course that would require going back in time which no one in the U.S., has invented, yet. That could really change things. For all our sakes let’s hope it isn’t invented in Texas or Arkansas.”
A Union museum in Massachusetts had been offered the letter but reportedly refused to accept it under any circumstances.
Mike Michaels, American Correspondent
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