Mississippi Memorial

The Mississippi Memorial stands on a siege gun location.

NPS / Brewer

Quick Facts

Location:

Vicksburg National Military Park

Standing prominently atop the battery to your right is the memorial for the State of Mississippi. Dedicated on November 13, 1909, this granite Roman Composite memorial stands 76-feet high and was designed by architect R.H. Hunt of Chattanooga, Tennessee with the bronze work sculpted by artist Frederick C. Triebel of Peoria, Illinois. In a discussion of his bronze relief sculptures, Triebel is noted as saying, “My idea of a monument to the heroes of the siege of the City of Vicksburg is to represent the glorification of the defenders as conceived by the classics.”
Triebel certainly embodies such sentiments within his work through his moving compositions that seem to almost come alive and emerge from the bronze itself to continue the defense.

Seen on the left of the base of the obelisk is a Mississippi Color Guard unit and at right is sculpted an artillery crew. In between the two, carved in low relief, is a vivid scene of battle. Atop this scene sits Clio, the Greek and Roman goddess of history. She is seen in a cloak decorated with a pattern of eyes, symbolizing her all-seeing abilities. Upon her lap rests her traditional open scroll on which she records the deeds of history.

• Mississippi Memorial

  
  

  A 1-minute and 28-second audio track describing the Mississippi Memorial in Vicksburg National Military Park.

  Date created:

  12/20/2022

  Audio Transcript

  Standing prominently atop the battery to your right is the memorial for the State of Mississippi. Dedicated on November 13, 1909, this granite Roman Composite memorial stands 76-feet high and was designed by architect R.H. Hunt of Chattanooga, Tennessee with the bronze work sculpted by artist Frederick C. Triebel of Peoria, Illinois. In a discussion of his bronze relief sculptures, Triebel is noted as saying, “My idea of a monument to the heroes of the siege of the City of Vicksburg is to represent the glorification of the defenders as conceived by the classics.” Triebel certainly embodies such sentiments within his work through his moving compositions that seem to almost come alive and emerge from the bronze itself to continue the defense.

  Seen on the left of the base of the obelisk is a Mississippi Color Guard unit and at right is sculpted an artillery crew. In between the two, carved in low relief, is a vivid scene of battle. Atop this scene sits Clio, the Greek and Roman goddess of history. She is seen in a cloak decorated with a pattern of eyes, symbolizing her all-seeing abilities. Upon her lap rests her traditional open scroll on which she records the deeds of history.