• View from Battery DeGolyer

    Vicksburg

    National Military Park Mississippi

Memorial Arch

Memorial Arch

Memorial Arch

NPS Photo

In 1917, with an appropriation of $150,000, the U.S. Congress sponsored a four-day veterans' reunion at Vicksburg National Military Park. Approximately 8000 former soldiers attended the event. At its conclusion about $35,000 of the appropriation remained unspent, and the funds were used to commemorate the historic gathering. A Memorial Arch, sculpted by Charles Lawhon using Stone Mountain (GA) granite, was dedicated in 1920. It stood astride Clay Street until 1967 when, having been declared a traffic hazard, it was moved to its present site within the park.
 
Dedication Inscription on the Back of the Memorial Arch
Dedication Inscription on the Back of the Memorial Arch
NPS Photo

Did You Know?

Old Douglas Headstone, Cedar Hill Cemetery

The 43d Mississippi Infantry's mascot, Douglas the Camel, remained with the regiment until Vicksburg where he was killed by Union sharpshooters. Douglas is honored with his own grave marker in Vicksburg's Cedar Hill Cemetery.