Vicksburg Battlefield Park

Grant attacked Stockade Redan on May 19th 1863 which was a strong point in the defensive line. The Union Forces were pushed back. A second attack on May 22nd over a three mile front from Stockade Redan to Fort Garrott was also repelled. With these two failures and the possibility of more lives lost, Grant began formal siege operations. The siege ended 45 days later on July 4th 1863.

Vicksburg Battlefield Map. 

General John C. Pemberton. Confederate Commander for the defense of Vicksburg

Monument and Cannons for Yost's Battery from Ohio.

Michigan Soldiers monument with Battery De Golyer.

These are the cannons that were placed here at battery De Golyer. The Union army concentrated their artillery at points on the line. The Confederates scattered their guns all along the line. When a lone Confederate gun opened up it was promptly silenced by counter battery fire.

In the distance, between the Union and Confederate Trench lines, stands a house. This house is where the surrender was negotiated.

A very elaborate monument to the State of Illinois Soldiers that participated in the siege. Dedicated in the early 1900's. The inside is lined with plaques that display the names of Regiments and soldiers from the state of Illinois. As I drive along the path I can't help but notice that a majority of the Northern Monuments are very elaborately decorated in comparison to the Confederate monuments.

Here is an equestrian statue of General U. S. Grant. This statue sits in the location of where his headquarters were located. The drive up was lined on either side by the Bust Statues of Union Generals that served under his command at Vicksburg.

Starting with my visit to Manassas back in 2011, I have had my picture taken with a General. At Manassas it was Stonewall Jackson, this time it was Grant.