Licensed Battlefield Guide Lecture Series

The Vicksburg National Military Park Licensed Battlefield Guide logo.

NPS

Vicksburg National Military Park and the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park & Campaign will be hosting the annual licensed battlefield guide lecture series. All guides have gone through comprehensive written and practical testing to receive their licensure through the park superintendent. These detailed presentations on aspects will gleam into the finer points of the Vicksburg campaign that bring this crucial city to the forefront of American history.

Each guides's program will be held at the Vicksburg National Military Park visitor center auditorium on Saturdays in April 2023.

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.

 

Jim Woodrick

Guide photo.

Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 4:00PM

Jim Woodrick

This presentation is titled “A Curious Cast of Characters: the Union and Confederate division commanders in the Vicksburg Campaign." Mr. Woodrick will discuss the diversity of leadership on display in both Union and Confederate armies during the Vicksburg campaign.

Jim Woodrick is retired from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History as the director of the Historic Preservation Division and a Civil War Sites Historian. A life-long student of the Civil War, Jim has participated in living history events as a Civil War re-enactor and is an active member of several Civil War preservation organizations.

 

Harry McMillin

Guide photo.

Saturday, April 15, 2023

Harry McMillin

This presentation is titled: "Ulysses S. Grant: American Hero." Mr. McMillin will discuss the life and legacy of the 18th President of the United States with an emphasis on his military and political careers.

Harry McMillin is a Col. USAF (Ret.) with 27 years of active service. Mr. McMillin was essential in helping create the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park & Campaign as the first volunteer executive direction and has served as a Licensed Battlefield Guide for 17 years.

 

John Groy

Guide photo.

Saturday, April 22, 2023

John Groy

This presentation is titled "John C. Pemberton: Defender of Vicksburg." Mr. Groy will be discussing the Confederate commander of the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana's leadership and management of the Confederate operations during the Vicksburg campaign.

John Groy has been a licensed battlefield guide for 4 years.

 

Don Milner

Guide photo.

Saturday, April 29, 2023

Don Milner

Don's presentation is titled "Rear Admiral David Glasgow Farragut and the 1862 Mississippi River Campaign." Mr. Milner will discuss the complexities of Federal policy for controlling inland waterways including the Mississippi River and the outcome of the United States naval efforts in the spring and summer of 1862.

Don Milner is a retired teacher and has been a licensed battlefield guide for 10 years.