Louisiana Circle

Louisiana Circle

NPS Photo

Louisiana Circle is located on Washington Street and overlooks the Mississippi River approximately 1 mile north of Interstate 20.

During the siege, Louisiana Circle was known as "Battery Barnes." The artillery batteries at Louisiana Circle and South Fort were the southernmost anchors of the Confederate defensive line, and the heavy guns located at these positions had commanding views of the Mississippi River and the Federal naval approaches from the south. Confederate defenders at these locations participated in duels with the Union fleet and land-based artillery.

The "Widow Blakely," a British imported rifled artillery piece, was actually emplaced about one mile north of its present location at Louisiana Circle. Named after British army captain Theophilus Alexander Blakely, these weapons were best known for their use by Confederate forces during the Civil War. It was referred to as "Widow Blakely" due to the fact that it was the only Blakely cannon in the Vicksburg defenses.

During the siege, a 10-inch Columbiad was positioned at the present-day Louisiana Circle. An example of this type of artillery piece can be seen at the park's visitor center parking lot.