Vicksburg in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Dedication of the Illinois Monument
Vicksburg National Military Park
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 25, 2017
1. Dedication of the Illinois Monument Marker
Inscription.
Dedication of the Illinois Monument. Vicksburg National Military Park. The Vicksburg National Military Park, established by Congress on February 21, 1899, commemorates the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg during the Civil War. The 1,800 acres of the park are dotted with over 1,300 monuments, making it the "art park of the world." The most impressive of the memorials is the Illinois Monument, which was dedicated on October 26, 1906 and modeled after the Roman Pantheon. On its walls are 60 bronze tablets which record the names of the 36,325 Illinois soldiers who participated in the Vicksburg campaign. The memorial was designed by William L. B. Jenney, who served as Gen. Sherman's chief engineer during the Vicksburg operations, and cost $194,423.92. The Shirley House, to the right of the monument, is the only building in the park that survived the siege. Built in the 1830s as Wexford Lodge by attorney Nicholas Gray, the house remains a part of the battlefield's landscape today. The idea for the park can be credited to Civil War veterans of the Blue and Gray Association who, in 1895, formed the Vicksburg National Military Park Association. Veterans helped to mark the park, resulting in its recognition as one of the world's most accurately marked battlefields. , Sponsored by the City of Vicksburg and The Mississippi Arts Commission
The Vicksburg National Military Park, established by Congress on February 21, 1899, commemorates the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg during the Civil War. The 1,800 acres of the park are dotted with over 1,300 monuments, making it the "art park of the world."
The most impressive of the memorials is the Illinois Monument, which was dedicated on October 26, 1906 and modeled after the Roman Pantheon. On its walls are 60 bronze tablets which record the names of the 36,325 Illinois soldiers who participated in the Vicksburg campaign.
The memorial was designed by William L. B. Jenney, who served as Gen. Sherman's chief engineer during the Vicksburg operations, and cost $194,423.92.
The Shirley House, to the right of the monument, is the only building in the park that survived the siege. Built in the 1830s as Wexford Lodge by attorney Nicholas Gray, the house remains a part of the battlefield's landscape today.
The idea for the park can be credited to Civil War veterans of the Blue and Gray Association who, in 1895, formed the Vicksburg National Military Park Association. Veterans helped to mark the park, resulting in its recognition as one of the world's most accurately marked battlefields.
Sponsored by the City of Vicksburg and The Mississippi Arts Commission
Erected 2005 by the City of Vicksburg Riverfront Mural Committee.
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is February 21, 1899.
Location. 32° 21.062′ N, 90° 53.034′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg
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, Mississippi, in Warren County. Marker is on Levee Street north of Clay Street, on the left when traveling north. The Vicksburg Riverfront Murals are located on the Yazoo Diversion Canal levee wall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Levee Street, Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2017. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 800 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
