Meridian Campaign Sesquicentennial Commemoration

Date: January 22, 2014
Contact: Jake Koch, 601-636-0583
Contact: Will Wilson, 601-636-0583

On Friday, January 31, and Saturday and Sunday, February 1-2, Vicksburg National Military Park will hold programs commemorating the 150^th Anniversary of Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's 1864 "Meridian Campaign" launched from Vicksburg to capture and destroy anything of military value in Meridian, MS. Prior to this campaign Meridian served as a major Confederate supply center due to its railroad.

On Friday evening, Park Ranger Will Wilson will be presenting the program on this often overlooked campaign that was the precursor to Sherman's "Total War" strategy. The program will be held at 7:00 pm in the Vicksburg National Military Park Visitor Center Auditorium, and will last roughly one hour with time afterwards for questions. Doors will open at 6:30 pm. This event is open to the public and will be free of charge.

On Saturday and Sunday, inside the Shirley House located at Stop #2 on the Park Tour Road, park staff and volunteers will be providing "first person" interpretive programs that highlight the role of the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps in preparing for the Meridian Campaign. Visitors will be able to see and talk with Civil War soldiers, civilians, and a representative from the Western Freedman's Bureau. The Saturday programs will be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; and from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm on Sunday.   Regular park admission is $8 per vehicle, and all Vicksburg and NPS passes will be honored during the event.

Park hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, with the U.S.S. Cairo Museum opening at 8:30 am.

For further information on this or other special programs, please check the park's website at www.nps.gov/vick, Facebook page at www.facebook.com/vicksburgnmp.nps, or by calling the park at 601-636-0583. Come join us for another Sesquicentennial commemoration!