The sound of rifles will echo across Vicksburg National Military Park this weekend as volunteers from the 9th Texas Infantry, portraying Waul’s Texas Legion, visit the park for a Living History encampment and demonstration.
The programs will take place at Fort Garrott, Stop #14 on the park tour road (South Loop), and the encampment will be directly across the road near the Georgia Monument. Programs and demonstrations will throughout the day on Saturday, October 16th; and 8:00 am until noon on Sunday, October 17th. There will also be demonstrations of weapons and tactics, as well as a wreath-laying and commemorative program at the Texas Monument and Railroad Redoubt, Tour Stop #13, on Saturday afternoon. Call the park at 601-636-0583 for details of the events.
Waul’s Texas Legion played an important role at Vicksburg. When Union troops captured the Railroad Redoubt during the assault of May 22, 1863, the Legion counter-assaulted and drove the Union forces back, thus sealing the breach in Vicksburg’s defenses and preventing the city from being taken. Because of their action, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Union forces would have to lay siege to Vicksburg for 47 days before they were able to finally take the fortress city.
Come learn about the events that made Vicksburg famous, as well as the duties, weaponry and lifestyles of the Confederate soldiers who fought valiantly to defend the city that was described by President Abraham Lincoln as the “key” to victory, and by Confederate President Jefferson Davis as the “nail head that holds the two halves of the Confederacy together”.
Park admission is $8.00 per vehicle, and valid for a week. All VNMP and National Park Service passes are honored.
Visit the park this weekend and see history come to life!
