Vicksburg Battlefield Driving Tour: Self-Guided

Welcome to the Vicksburg Battlefield Tour

Bring history to life with this self-guided  Vicksburg Battlefield driving tour, where Union and Confederate forces fought for control of the Mississippi River. Explore the battlefield and its powerful memorials as you hear about General Grant’s march on Vicksburg, the Confederate resistance, and the bloody Siege of Vicksburg itself. Revisit tales of bravery, strategy, and grit with dramatic blow-by-blow accounts of the struggle and its nation-altering aftermath.

About the Tour

Your expedition through Vicksburg National Military Park commences outside the Visitor Center near the northern entrance. As you delve deeper into the park, the weight of the American Civil War surrounds you. You’ll pass monuments like the Minnesota and Iowa Monuments, each telling tales of the soldiers hailing from these states. Along the way, you’ll hear about the leadup to this titanic struggle, as General Ulysses S. Grant marched inevitably toward Vicksburg.

You’ll hear accounts of the Battles of Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post, then stop at the historic Shirley House, the only wartime structure remaining in the park. Next, relive the fiery bombardment of the Grand Gulf and learn about the crucial role of Black soldiers in the Civil War. Then continue on to the awe-inspiring Ulysses S. Grant Memorial.

From there, you’ll head to the Vicksburg National Cemetery, which serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. Rows upon rows of tombstones represent Union soldiers who gave their all. The cemetery’s tranquility contrasts sharply with the ongoing narrative of Grant’s campaign, as you revisit the battles of Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, and the Big Black River Bridge.

As the route steers you towards Confederate Ave, you’ll encounter Stockade Redan and absorb the story of the daring first and second assaults on the Vicksburg defenses. With each turn, there’s another monument or marker, like the Missouri State Memorial and the Louisiana Memorial, each adding a unique look at the participants in this sprawling siege.

The final segments of your journey dive into the climax of the siege, the surrender, and the eventual aftermath and significance of this battle. Your expedition concludes just down the street from the Visitor Center where it began.

Note: North Union Avenue and National Cemetery are closed to vehicular traffic. For more info on road closures, please refer to the official NPS website.

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