Licensed Battlefield Guided Walking Tours

Vicksburg National Military Park and the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park & Campaign will be hosting the 160th Anniversary Commemorative Walking Tours.

The Friends of the Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign help preserve the tangible reminders of bravery and perseverance of soldiers, sailors, and citizens involved in the struggle for Vicksburg. President Abraham Lincoln referred to this campaign as the "key" to victory in the Civil War. Our goal is for visitors to the region to experience and understand the impact of the people and events that comprised the most strategic and decisive campaign on the Civil War.

 

160th Anniversary Commemorative Walking Tour Information

How Do I Sign Up To Attend A Walking Tour?

Individuals interested in signing up for one or more of the 160th Anniversary Commemorative Walking Tours can sign up by clicking each registration link on the guided tours below. Once each tour fills up, a notification will be posted.

Each tour is limited to 40 individuals due to limitations for transportation to each location in the park.

Each tour is first come, first serve and this page will be updated when each tour is closed to reservations. 

What Will I Need To Bring When Attending A Program?

Think Safety First!

Each visitor should bring should be prepared to move along a flat road from point to point with the guide unless otherwise mentioned in the program description. Physical descriptions of each walking tour location are provided.

Each visitor should bring:

• A refillable water bottle.
• Comfortable walking attire (temperatures in Mississippi in May average between low-80s and mid-90s).
• Good, comfortable walking shoes. (Avoid open toed footwear for fireants).
• A wide brimmed hat (or baseball cap) to keep your face and shoulders out of the sun.
• Sunscreen to avoid sunburn.
• A walking stick or pole for additional support, if needed.

How Much Do These Programs Cost?

The walking tours are FREE of charge, however, the standard rate for entrance to the park still applies. 

Park Entrance Fees

Per Standard Vehicle - $20.00 (valid for 7 days)
Motorcycles - $15.00 (valid 7 days)
Pedestrians, Bicycles - $10.00
Bus/Passenger Van (non-commerial groups) - $10.00 per person, not to exceed commercial rate below.

Commercial Groups (provided by non-NPS charter tour companies)
1-6 Person Capacity Vehicles - $25.00 plus $10 per passenger (not to exceed $40)
7-25 Person Capacity Vehicles- $40.00
Over 25 Person Capacity Vehicles- $100.00

 

Friday, May 19, 2023 Walking Tour Schedule

 

Steve Jones

Guide photo

May 19^th Assaults Along the Graveyard Road at 11:00AM

Steve Jones

Visitors will be bussed from the Main Visitor Center to Tour Stop #5: Stockade Redan Attack where they will meet Licensed Battlefield Guide Steve Jones. Mr. Jones will lead the tour from the point where Frank P. Blair's Union division initiated the first assaults on the Confederate defensive works at the Stockade Redan Complex. The program will be completed at Tour Stop #10: the Stockade Redan and passengers will reboard the bus to be brought back to the park Visitor Center.

Time: The program will be 30-40 minutes in length.
Length of Tour: The tour will walk down a half-mile section of the historic Graveyard Road.
Road Conditions: The Graveyard Road is a paved, level surface road with a slight elevation decrease from the start to end.
Restrooms: None at this location.
Water Availability: A pop-up tent will be located at the start and ending points with water.
Emergency Personnel: Law Enforcement will be available for immediate care and emergency logistical information.

About Steve Jones:
Steve Jones retired for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 37-years. An avid runner, he has run in the park for 35 years, logging in over 10,000 miles. He has been a licensed guide for 4 years. Steve says he "enjoys helping people connect with the park via stories and explanations that help them envision what it was like for the soldiers and citizens 160 years ago."

Sign Up Here: Walking Tour - May 19th Assaults Along the Graveyard Road at 11:00am with Steve Jones (office.com)

 

Saturday, May 20, 2023 Walking Tour Schedule

 

Rick Martin

Guide photo

May 22nd Assaults Along the Jackson Road at 9:00AM

Rick Martin

Visitors will be bussed from the Main Visitor Center to the Jackson Road where they will meet Licensed Battlefield Guide Rick Martin. Mr. Martin will lead the tour from the point where John A. Logan's Union division assaulted the Confederate defensive works at the 3rd Louisiana Redan. The program will be completed at Tour Stop #3: the 3rd LA Redan and passengers will reboard the bus to be brought back to the park Visitor Center.

Time: The program will be 30-40 minutes in length.
Length of Tour: The tour will walk down a half-mile section of the historic Jackson Road.
Road Conditions: The Jackson Road is partly grass covered and part paved, level surface road with a slight elevation increase from the start to end.
Restrooms: None at this location.
Water Availability: A pop-up tent will be located at the start and ending points with water.
Emergency Personnel: Law Enforcement will be available for immediate care and emergency logistical information.

About Rick Martin:
Rick spent 38-years with the US National Park Service and retired as Chief Ranger at Vicksburg National Military Park as well as 33-year career with US Army and Army National Guard, retiring as Brigadier General, Mississippi Army National Guard. A Licensed Battlefield Guide for six years, Rick says: "I enjoy telling stories about the Vicksburg Campaign and communicating my passion for the history, preservation, and protection of the park, with the intent to inspire our visitors (especially young people) to be better stewards of our parks."

Sign Up Here: Walking Tour - May 22nd Assaults Along the Jackson Road at 9:00am with Rick Martin (office.com)

 

Cliff "B.B." Lingle

Guide photo.

May 22nd Assaults at the 2nd Texas Lunette at 11:00AM

B.B. Lingle

Visitors will be bussed from the Main Visitor Center to Tour Stop #12: 2nd Texas Lunette parking lot where they will meet Licensed Battlefield Guide Cliff "B.B." Lingle. Mr. Lingle will lead the tour from Tour Stop #12 where elements of the 2nd Texas Infantry defended a earthwork north of the Baldwin's Ferry Road, then down the park tour road to the 2nd Texas Lunette fortification. The program will be completed at the 2nd Texas Lunette and passengers will reboard the bus or walk the tour road back to the park Visitor Center.

Time: The program will be 30-40 minutes in length.
Length of Tour: The tour will walk down a quarter-mile section of the park tour road, then onto the 2nd Texas Lunette..
Road Conditions: The park tour road is a paved, level surface road with both an elevation decrease from the start to end. Visitors attending this event will be walking off park property and into the Anshe Chesed Jewish Cemetery which sits on the lunette.
Restrooms: None at this location; restrooms are located at the park Visitor Center.
Water Availability: A pop-up tent will be located at the start and ending points with water.
Emergency Personnel: Law Enforcement will be available for immediate care and emergency logistical information.

About B.B. Lingle:
Cliff "B.B." Lingle is a retail manager and has been a Licensed Battefield Guide for nine years. He says that "being a guide has allowed me to share my love of history. My Mother always told me I should have been a history major!"

Sign Up Here: Walking Tour - May 22nd Assaults at the 2nd Texas Lunette at 11:00am with B.B. Lingle (office.com)

 

Monday, May 22, 2023 Walking Tour Schedule

 

Tony Morgan

Guide photo.

May 22nd Assaults at the Railroad Redoubt at 9:00AM

Tony Morgan

Visitors will be bussed from the Main Visitor Center to the South Loop where they will meet Licensed Battlefield Guide Tony Morgan. Mr. Morgan will lead the tour from the top of the park tour road where elements of the 13th Corps assault the Railroad Redoubt, down the park tour road and up to the Railroad Redoubt fortification. The program will be completed at Tour Stop #13: Railroad Redoubt. Passengers will reboard the bus or walk the tour road back to the park Visitor Center.

Time: The program will be 30-40 minutes in length.
Length of Tour: The tour will walk down a quarter-mile section of the park tour road, then onto the Railroad Redoubt.
Road Conditions: The park tour road is a paved, level surface road with both a significant elevation decrease and increase from the start to end. This walking tour has the most extreme road changes.
Restrooms: None at this location; restrooms are located at the park Visitor Center.
Water Availability: A pop-up tent will be located at the start and ending points with water.
Emergency Personnel: Law Enforcement will be available for immediate care and emergency logistical information.

About Tony Morgan:
Tony Morgan is an accountant for the United States Property and Fiscal Office in Flowood, Mississippi, and an US Army Veteran still serving with the Mississippi Army National Guard as a Colonel of Air Defense Artillery with over 34-years of service. Tony has served as a Licensed Battlefield Guide for four years. He says: "I continue to enjoy learning more about our nation’s history and sharing it with our park’s visitors. Serving as a guide helps me understand the significance of the Vicksburg Campaign and why my ancestor served and sacrificed here at Vicksburg."

Sign Up Here: Walking Tour - May 22nd Assaults at the Railroad Redoubt at 9:00am with Tony Morgan (office.com)

 

Ralph Stillions

Guide photo

May 22nd Assaults Along the Graveyard Road at 11:00AM

Ralph Stillions

Visitors will be bussed from the Main Visitor Center to Tour Stop #5: Stockade Redan Attack where they will meet Licensed Battlefield Guide Ralph Stillions. Mr. Stillions will lead the tour from the point where Frank P. Blair's Union division initiated the second assaults on the Confederate defensive works at the Stockade Redan Complex. The program will be completed at Tour Stop #10: the Stockade Redan and passengers will reboard the bus to be brought back to the park Visitor Center.

Time: The program will be 30-40 minutes in length.
Length of Tour: The tour will walk down a half-mile section of the historic Graveyard Road.
Road Conditions: The Graveyard Road is a paved, level surface road with a slight elevation decrease from the start to end.
Restrooms: None at this location.
Water Availability: A pop-up tent will be located at the start and ending points with water.
Emergency Personnel: Law Enforcement will be available for immediate care and emergency logistical information.

About Ralph Stillions:
Ralph Stillions is a retired insurance claims executive. He has served as a licensed battlefield guide for thirteen years. Ralph says: "I have been able to meet and tour people from every corner of the United States and as far away as Australia and England – a blessing and a privilege."

Sign Up Here: Walking Tour - May 22nd Assaults Along the Graveyard Road at 11:00am with Ralph Stillions (office.com)