Vicksburg

On our way through the South we stopped at Vicksburg Mississippi to learn more about the Battle for Vicksburg in the Civil war. Vicksburg is located on high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and had control over any water transportation using the river. The Union needed to remove that control to weaken the Confederacy and split it in half.

The location of Vicksburg and the strong defense made this a very difficult task. The battlefield museum explains the various approaches used to take the city and what finally worked.

The visitor center/museum has a collection of various arltillery pieces on display.

Recreations of defensive breastworks were shown to give an idea of the defenses in place to defend the city.

The visitor center has an interactive display showing colored lights that indicate the various battles for the city

The city was under constant bombardment which caused the citizens to dig caves and live in them for protection

Canons are located around the park at appropriate locations showing the battle layout

Plaques are located to tell of the events at each location. They are color coded for North and South.

Monuments of all sizes are located on the battlefield to honor those who fought and died.

Photographs of the period showed what it looked like "THEN"

and "NOW"

Many monuments honored those who perished

Many examples of various charges were explained on storyboards. I've included just a few.

The CAIRO was a Union Gunboat that has the distinction of being the first warship to be sunk by an electronically controlled mine set off by a soldier on the shore. (Mines were called "Torpedoes" during the Civil War. The CAIRO was later raised and the remains put on display.

The gunboat display is kept under a dramatic tent structure.

Recreations of the upper structure are placed over the remains of the hull

A very nice museum explains the history of the gun boat

Bent railroad rails were used as added protection of the crew

A very nice model of the CAIRO showed her appearance when new.

Today the park is a very peaceful and beautiful location which belies the carnage of the Civil War

A 21 foot motor home is about the biggest vehicle you'd want to take on a tour of the park