vicksburg campaign trail

This is by far the best civil War battlefield I have visited, primarily because of the sheer proximity of the combatants to one another, both during the initial two assaults and then the siege. (i.e. IMHO better than Manassas, Gettysburg, Richmond, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania.) The explanatory battlefield museum provides a very good introduction.The trail is a long circular drive, first primarily through the Union lines and then the Confederate lines, and includes the Union Cemetery. An extraordinarily large number of plaques and statues of almost every brigade, regimental, and higher general are located at the sites where they fought. Every state that had units at the battle also has a state monument with the Union monuments being considerably larger. The Illinois monument is so large that it is mistakenly listed The Vicksburg Battlefield Memorial in Trip advisor.I would strongly urge anyone with a serious interest to purchase the audio cd or hire a guide. This obviously much more informative and enriching experience, because many of the sites otherwise just look like trenches and open fields.Also on the trail is the USS Cairo and its associated museum.The Campaign Trail is a must see for any civil war or military history aficionado who is in the area.

The Vicksburg Campaign extended over a period of 13 months but the National Park only covers the last 47 days. There is much to see out in the country and following this driving tour, if you have a couple of more days to devote to it, will introduce you to the broader scope of one of America's premier military history stories.

Do get yourself a tour guide to help you understand the 1863 campaign and strategy of U.S. Grant on this wonderful op. to learn. Don't miss the Raymond battlefield...it has all the cannon that was used and exact placement of same.

Part of the huge park with maps and battle lines shown. It was so easy to see that the South was bereft of the artillery that the Union had, yet it took Grant seven tries to achieve victory.