When it comes to knowledge of the Civil War, hubby and I comfortably reside on two opposite ends of the spectrum.  Hubby knows all the battlefields, generals, tactics, positions, companies, units, battalions, ante-bellum, Reconstruction, etc.  I know Civil War medicine, womens roles, and the lyrics to a bunch of songs.  Useless triva and I go hand in hand (example: ready made clothing for women was not available until the 1920s.  Now you know!).

So, my knoweldge of the Siege of Vicksburg was limited to knowing the lyrics and tune to “Twas at the Siege of Vicksburg” and knowing Vicksburg was in Mississippi.  Hubby has been, quite literally, salivating at the prospect of going to Vicksburg since we went to Mississippi the first time in 2008.  This time, now parents, we decided to throw caution to the wind, strap the baby in his carseat, and drive three hours from the coast to the battlefield.

And the parrot shells were sanging through the air!

Why you might not know much about Vicksburg: the Siege lasted 47 days and ended on July 3, 1863–the same time the Battle of Gettysburg ended.

Location of Grant’s Headquarters

Here’s the lowdown: Excellent park!  It’s beautiful, seriously, I cannot say enough good things about Vicksburg.  The landscape is gorgeous.  Keep in mind this is a park you’re going to drive through and occasionally get out to do some walking.  It’s not a Gettysburg were you can literally wriggle all over the battlefield.  Vicksburg is expansive and if you’re going to walk, be prepared.

Special point of awesomeness: The USS Cairo and Museum.  The Cairo was a Union ironclad the Confederates sank during the war.  It was pulled out of the river and preserved–complete with original guns and original woodwork.  You can actually see where the torpedo (actually a mine) went through the side.  The museum includes some of the sailors personal artifacts pulled out of the boat.  It’s pretty incredible to see a neckerchief with the knot still tied in it, last tied by a Civil War sailor.
My kid is a year old and didn’t mind the driving.  He liked looking at the monuments and the Cairo.  Now, if you’re like us and drive three hours to get there, be prepared for limited attention spans and impatience as you get close to the end.  ALSO, keep in mind that, due to problems with vandelism, the park is only open until 5pm.  We had to, literally, run through the last part of the field.  I’m not even kidding–I sprinted to the top of a redoubt. 
The Park Museum: on the small side, but gives a good overview of the Siege. There’s an electric map, which made Hubby’s day.
Ratings: A
Bathrooms: I only found bathrooms at the Cairo museum and the visitor’s center.  There are roads to get you back to the visitor’s center, but if you have a kid that has to go NOW, be prepared that a bathroom might not be available.
Food:  Vicksburg has a lot of restaurants in it.  You will not find food in the park.  Right down from the park, however, is the best KFC buffet I’ve ever eaten at!!!  Delicious.  I recommend.  I think I ate my weight in sweet potatoes.
Parking: You drive through the park, but there is parking at the visitor’s center.  You pay will pay to park, but that is also your fee to enter the park.
In the end: I really enjoyed Vicksburg.  It was neat to see a Siege battlefield, where instead of battlelines you had more tactical warfare.  Plus, the Cario is a must see.
Side commentary: I had an inside out cinnamon bite or something like that from Arbys tonight.  Let me just say, for a fast food dessert, surprisingly amazing!!!  Three for a buck.  Sure, it’s not the Cheesecake Factory.  But in a pinch, fan-freaking-tastic.
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