The Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry wasn’t engaged in anything noteworthy during early July, 1864, so on this 151st anniversary of the capitulation of Vicksburg, I thought I would share a few photos I took when I visited that historic city during May of this year.
The Old Courthouse Museum is a treasure trove of antebellum and Civil War antiquities. I spent hours searching the archives of the McCardle Library gleaning interesting tidbits for a future novel.
There are many residences and other buildings in Vicksburg that were built before the war. Some of the historic homes are now inns and open for tours. I stayed at the Duff Green mansion which was used as a hospital for both Confederate and Union soldiers during the siege.
Following are several photos of the siege lines in the National Military Park.
Battery De Golyer (Union)
3rd Louisiana Redan (Confederate)
African American Soldiers Monument
South Fort Battery (Confederate)
Site of surrender meeting between Grant and Pemberton
The USS Cairo Museum is located within the Military Park. Having read about its sinking and the discovery and raising of the hulk beforehand, I knew approximately what to expect, but I was still amazed. This is a must-see if you ever visit Vicksburg.
This last photo is a of a portion of a large mural in the Old Courthouse Museum. It depicts Admiral David D. Porter’s gunboats and transports passing the river batteries at Vicksburg April 16, 1863. The fireworks were particularly impressive that night.
