Surrender Weekend

Living history volunteers fire the 12-pound field gun at the park.

NPS

Cannon Firing Demonstrations

Visitors will get to learn about the 19th century artillery firsthand as staff and volunteers demonstrate how soldiers learned how to be efficent artillerists during the American Civil War.

Firing demonstrations and intepretive talks are schedule for:

Saturday, July 1, 2023:

At the Park Visitor Center:
Union Cannon Detachment: 9:00AM, 10:00AM, 11:00AM.

At Tour Stop #12 (2nd Texas Lunette):
Confederate Cannon Detachment: 9:15AM, 10:15AM, 11:15AM.

Sunday, July 2, 2023:

At the Park Visitor Center:
Union Cannon Detachment: 9:00AM, 10:00AM, 11:00AM.

At Tour Stop #12 (2nd Texas Lunette):
Confederate Cannon Detachment: 9:15AM, 10:15AM, 11:15AM.

*Inclement weather will cancel these events.

 

Company C, 45th Illinois Infantry standing at the Washburn home in Galena, Illinois.

Reenactor's image.

Recreating Siege Life at the Shirley House:

Welcoming the 45th Illinois Infantry

Reenactors from Company C, 45th Illinois Infantry will be camping around the historic Shirley House to deliver a multitude of programming that will bring visitors back 160 years ago to the siege of Vicksburg!

These rotating presentations will be offered on Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2 as stations at the Park Visitor Center, in/around their camp, or inside the historic Shirley House! Kids will be able to participate and learn how Civil War soldiers trained, fought, and experienced this tumultuous time period.

Station 1: Overview of the Vicksburg Campaign

A soldier of the 45th will explain the importance of Vicksburg, the campaign from 1862-1863, with a special emphasis will also be placed on the role of the common soldier.

Station 2: Equipment of the Civil War Federal Soldier

Soldiers from the 45th will show the weapons, uniforms, backpacks, blanket rolls, and other equipment carried and used during the war.

Station 3: Siege Life for the Soldier

A soldier will explain the challenges and hardships faced by Union soldiers as they besieged Vicksburg. The hillside dugouts (from the photograph of the Shirley House) will be contrasted with the tents and shebangs used by the 45th.

Station 4: Food Rations and Cooking

A soldier will describe the typical rations issued and demonstrate methods for cooking. Another soldier will talk about and show the haversack used by the men.

Station 5: Battle for the 3rd Louisiana Redan

A soldier will discuss the June 25th mine explosion at the 3rd Louisiana Redan and the attempt to break through the Confederate lines with a special emphasis on the role of the 45th Illinois in the battle.

 

Morgan Gates (left) and Curt Fields (right) stand against a tree discussing the terms of surrendering Vicksburg.

Morgan Gates

The Last 24-Hours: Grant and Pemberton Tell All

Curt Fields and Morgan Gates will again take their places as Ulysses S. Grant and John C. Pemberton as they discuss the experiences each commander faced during the Vicksburg Campaign. Fields and Gates are considered the preeminent scholars of their respective personas and will bring life to these historic figures using their own words to tell the story of the siege and surrender of Vicksburg.

Their first-person program titled "The Last 24-Hours" will be held on Saturday and Sunday at the Visitor Center auditorium at 2:00PM.

 

Doug Baum discusses the history of 'Old Douglas' during the siege of Vicksburg.

NPS

Douglas the Camel is Back!

Stationed at the Visitor Center will be Doug Baum and his Texas Camel Corps representing Old Douglas, the vaunted mascot of the 43rd Mississippi Infantry. Mr. Baum and his camels are a Vicksburg staple that enhances another unique aspect of this watershed moment in American History: the Vicksburg campaign.

Old Douglas will be at the Visitor Center from 9:00AM-12:00PM on both Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Come out see them!