Jackson, Mississippi Excursions
Illinois State Memorial © National Park Service
Vicksburg National Military Park
The Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates one of the
most decisive battles of the American Civil War: the campaign,
siege and defence of the city of Vicksburg, 44 miles (71km) west of
Jackson in Mississippi. Vicksburg was under siege for 47 days in
1863 as confederate forces vainly tried to defend the city high on
the bluff guarding the Mississippi River. The battlefield at
Vicksburg is in a good state of preservation and visitors can
explore 1,325 historic monuments and markers, 20 miles (32km) of
reconstructed trenches and earthworks, an antebellum home, 144
cannon emplacements, the restored Union gunboat, USS Cairo, and the
Vicksburg National Cemetery. While in Vicksburg don't miss a
riverboat ride on the mighty Mississippi and a visit to the River
City Blues Museum in Clay Street, with the largest blues collection
on public display in the world.
Website: www.nps.gov/vick/index.htm;
Telephone: (601) 636 0583 (Visitor centre);
Opening time: Visitor centre open daily 8am to 5pm;
Admission: $8 per vehicle (valid for 7 days), or $4 per person per day
