“You know, the Seige of Vicksburg was significant for many reasons, but it all came down to Vickburg’s strategic location,” stated Peterson as he scrolled through the TV Guide looking for the History Channel or a Ken Burns documentary. “General Grant needed control of the Mississippi River, and he was going to do whatever it took. That’s classic Ulysses for you.”

Since watching the documentary, Peterson has talked about the battle nonstop. In addition to referring to all of the generals by their first names, he’s been comparing random events at work to the Seige of Vicksburg.

“Once Major John McClernand was able to attack from the south, the Second Texas Lunette didn’t stand a chance,” said Peterson as he wistfully looked for flights to Vicksburg, Mississippi, considering a pilgrimage to the former battlefield. “Those men were real soldiers. You wouldn’t understand, but what they did took guts.”

At press time, Peterson was watching and deeply identifying with a World War II documentary about the Battle of The Bulge.