Soldiers’ Rest Cemetery, Vicksburg (NPS photo)
Strategically located on the Mississippi River, Vicksburg was the site of a pivotal Civil War siege by Union General Ulysses S. Grant from May 18 to July 4, 1863. The surrender of Vicksburg, MS (coupled with the fall of Port Hudson, LA a week later) gave control of the Mississippi River to Union forces and effectively split the Confederacy in half. This hard-fought turning point of the Civil War was commemorated in 1899 with establishment of the Vicksburg National Military Park – featured on the 9th design (and fourth 2011 issue) of the America’s National Park Quarter series.
Museum exhibits at the park depict the hardships of civilians and soldiers during the devastating 47-day siege of the city. The park’s 16-mile tour road features more than 1,350 historic monuments and markers, 20 miles of reconstructed trenches and embankments, over 140 emplaced Civil War cannons, and the restored Union ironclad gunboat U.S.S. Cairo. Encompassing about 1,728 acres, the park runs along the boundaries of the city of Vicksburg, includes most of the original battlefield, and provides important open space, shade trees, and wildlife habitat for the metropolitan area.
The Park Service also manages and maintains the Vicksburg National Cemetery – final resting place for more than 17,000 Civil War soldiers and sailors.
More information on Vicksburg National Military Park.
