We were privileged to tour the Vicksburg National Military Park along the banks of the beautiful Mississippi River in Vicksburg, Mississippi. It is a wonderfully preserved Civil War battlefield. From May 18th to July 4th 1863 the Siege of Vicksburg, one of the final major military actions, took place here. This hallowed ground has become very dear to our hearts. My husband's 3rd Great Grandfather, Daniel D. Doolin, served in the 81st Illinois Infantry Company D and fought here for the Union. His life was spared. We are so grateful for his sacrifices as he served in the Union Army.
The Vicksburg National Military Park was established on February 21, 1899. It was the 5th national military park created and is the 8th oldest national park in the United States. It covers 1,728 acres of battlefield, including 116 acres dedicated to the Vicksburg National Cemetery. There are 1,340 historic monuments and markers, 144 cannons, the restored U.S.S. Cairo, and two antebellum homes. It also includes a visitor center, a 16-mile road tour, 12.5 miles of walking trails and 20 miles of historic trenches and earthworks. It truly is an expansive outdoor art garden with busts and statues from some of the finest 19th and 20th century American and European sculptors. You can easily spend a few days studying the history and enjoying the art here.
We made a point to take a drive through the Vicksburg National Military Park after eating lunch and checking into our hotel in Vicksburg, MS. I am so glad we made a point to visit that evening. We never could have covered the majority of this national park in a few short hours the next day. We didn't realize at the time how much information there was to read and just how many monuments there were to look at. Below I have posted photos of state memorials and busts of different men that served here. These photos only cover a small portion of the monuments and markers.
Minnesota State Memorial by William Couper - The woman represents the "Statue of Peace". She holds a sword and shield from both armies along with a laurel wreath symbolizing peace.
We turned a corner on the road tour and this view hit us like a ton of bricks. That is the incomparable Illinois State Memorial in distance. Hotch and I got a bit teary eyed as we took in the significance of this place. As I type this I can almost smell the grass and hear the sacred silence as we stood here. One of the most beautiful and memorable moments in my life. More on the Illinois State Memorial later in a separate post.
Michigan State Memorial by Hebert Adams - The woman symbolizes the Spirit of Michigan.
The kids peppered us with questions about the Civil War and the Siege of Vicksburg. Braxton was fascinated by the cannons and he stuck with dad so they could talk about every aspect of them.
Ohio decided not to place a state memorial, but choose instead to place a monument for each of the 39 units that fought here. Above are just a few of them. An Ohio state memorial would also have been nice to see.
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The road tour through Vicksburg National Military Park is gorgeous!
William Hall Marcellus M. Crocker
Braxton found the felled trees in these trenches really fascinating. It was his favorite part of the entire military park. He still talks about it.
When we hit this point in the 16-mile road tour we decided to call it a day. We had plans to go visit the Cedar Hill Cemetery with its Confederate graves in Soldier's Rest, check out the Vicksburg Riverfront Murals and drive around Vicksburg before sunset. I blogged about those places here and here.
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