Vicksburg National Military Park in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Serving with Honor

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

1. Serving with Honor Marker

Inscription. Many former bondsmen and free black men enlisted when the United States Colored Troops was formed in 1863. By war's end, over 220,000 black soldiers and sailors had served in Union forces. About 40 percent of the burials at Vicksburg National Cemetery are United States Colored Troops.

[Photo captions]
Top right: After the brutal Battle of Milliken's Bend north of here, Captain M. M. Miller declared, "I never more wish to hear the expression: 'The [Negroes] won't fight.'" African American troops had proven their bravery and commitment—and Union public opinion about black soldiers was forever changed.

Background photo: A member of the United States Colored Troops with his family.

Erected by National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 32° 22.592′ N, 90° 52.082′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi, in Warren County. It is on Cemetery Road 0.1 miles north of Given Hill Road,

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on the right when traveling west. Located in the Vicksburg National Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Cemetery Road, Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Natchez Trace Corridor

and in Greater Jackson.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Final Resting Place, With Dignity (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Brown Water Navy (about 400 feet away); Plenty of Firepower - Armor Plated (about 400 feet away); Hog Chains - USS Cairo (about 500 feet away); The Last of it Kind (about 500 feet away); Steering an Ironclad - USS Cairo (about 500 feet away);

Serving with Honor Marker in the Vicksburg National Cemetery. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

2. Serving with Honor Marker in the Vicksburg National Cemetery.

Pilothouse - USS Cairo (about 500 feet away); Capstan - USS Cairo (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg National Military Park.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Union Fleet (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 303 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.