They are both arguing about the Battle of Vicksburg where General Grant routed the Confederate army. Keller and James are in a heated exchange about 'if' the battle was truly lost, or it was gifted to the opposition by stupidity and mismanagement. Ironically enough, the battle that ensues at the table shortly thereafter is an exact parallel to the 'stupidity' and 'mismanagement' of Helen by this family.
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