On our trip back to San Diego, CA we made a point to stop at the Vicksburg National Military Park because it holds sentimental value to our family. My husband's 3rd Great Grandfather, Daniel D. Doolin, served in the 81st Illinois Infantry Company D for the Union Army during the Siege of Vicksburg. Daniel was 36 years old when he mustered into the Union Army on August 26, 1862. He left behind his young wife, Emeline, and their four small children. Daniel served in the Union Army until May 30, 1865 when he mustered out. Thankfully, Daniel's life was spared. He went on to have four more children and lived a long life with his beloved wife.
(Love his ears. Delaney has almost the same ears.)
(Daniel D. Doolin and Emeline Adams)
One of the crown jewels of the Vicksburg National Military Park is the Illinois State Memorial. This stunning state memorial was dedicated on October 26, 1906. It was absolutely amazing to behold!
We loved visiting the Illinois State Memorial. It is enormous! Look how small they are in comparison. These photos do not do it justice.
W. L. B. Jenney created the design of the Illinois State Memorial. At the top of the Illinois State Memorial is a golden eagle and underneath is a lovely frieze. In this frieze sits Clio, the Muse of History, with two handmaidens on either side of her. Those two handmaidens represent the North and South.
I loved all the details!
Braxton and Delaney laid on the ground to take these pictures of the interior of the dome for me. The photos actually turned out well.
Braxton loves all things patriotic especially bald eagles.
"The people of Illinois, free of malice, full of charity, dedicate this monument as a memorial temple to enduring harmony and peace; and as a shrine at which all may again and again renew their consecration to loyal citizenship, and gather inspiration to the most unselfish and exalted patriotism."
My sweet son taking the view of the Civil War battlefield his 4th Great Grandfather fought upon. This touches my heart ever so much!
The view from this glorious state memorial is truly magnificent.
One major regret I have is that I forgot to write down Daniel D. Doolin's regiment and it completely slipped my mind we arrived. We did not realize that all 36,325 Illinois soldiers that participated in the Vicksburg Campaign were etched in bronze along the interior walls of the Illinois State Memorial. We even went back to the Visitor Center to locate his regiment and, just our luck, their internet was down. I also didn't realize Hotch was looking through all of the names to find him. If I had then we probably could have found it together. Frustrating thing is his name should only be a few feet over on the wall pictured below. He was in the 81st Illinois Infantry.
These two loved the Illinois State Memorial!
Outside directly above the door are three sculptures with quotes from Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and Richard Yates.
Charles Mulligan was the sculptor.
There are 47 steps on the Illinois State Memorial. One for each of the 47 days of the Siege of Vicksburg. Love the symbolism.
Here's my man on his way out after spending quality time reflecting on the sacrifice of these good men, especially that of Daniel D. Doolin.
These was wonderful experience I highly recommend!
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