The National Park at Vicksburg is not one that you'd walk around to see. After stopping in the visitor center to see the film, your car and your cell phone are the best way to see how the Union Army won this battle for this critical spot on the Mississippi River. This was one of the turning points in the Civil War coming as it did with the defeat of Lee's troops at Gettysburg. The Vicksburg battle showed off Grant's tenacity to not give up.
Read more here about this battle.
The road takes you from behind the Union lines all the way around then behind the Confederate lines. It's a 16 mile tour.
The Union troops here were from all over. There are monuments commemorating the sacrifices of men from Minnesota,
Michigan, Kansas,
New York, Illinois, Indiana,
Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania,
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Ohio.
The terrain is very hilly from all the digging both sides did to gain territory and avoid the shelling.
Look closely at the top of this hill. The blue sign is the Union line and the red sign the Confederate. They were in hailing distance near the end.
From the South the states represented here were Tennessee,
Mississippi,
Arkansas, Alabama,
Missouri,
Louisiana,
Texas, Georgia.
Kentucky had a Confederate and a Union Memorial.
If you are in Vicksburg, MS you need to stop at this Park - an important part of US history.
11 comments:
I now see why you need a car to get around the park. It must be so interesting to actually be in that historic place.
It's so sad to think of this terrible time. We've been to Gettysburg and closed our eyes to picture the horrible scenes.
My husband, the civil war buff that he is would, seriously, pee his pants to take this tour!! I will have to call him in here by the computer so I can show him your post/photos!!
Wow.
interesting placve and I would like to visit it
I remember this battlefield and the drive around it as I looked at your photos. Such a quiet, peaceful place to be the site of all that noise and carnage.
I haven't visited this park but others from Civil War battles. They are must see even though they leave me incredible sad.
We have visited many battlefields in the East, but never Vicksburg. I'd love to go there. The National Park Service does a great job with the Civil War parks and we all need to know about our country's history.
Great obelisk.
What a beautiful day you had to visit Vicksburg.... Lots of history there. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy
Marcia, what an interesting piece of history. As a country we have so many war memorials, how bout a few peace memorials. Thanks for sharing and I hope to see you back again.
Just a bit far to walk but what an interesting place, and sad as well.
Diana
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