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Any suggestions on visiting Vicksburg?

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  • #1

    Any suggestions on visiting Vicksburg?

    Hey Fellas,

    My Ancestor served with the 3rd Tennessee Mounted Infantry and died at Vicksburg. Small Pox got him at the Pest House Hospital. I am planning to visit there this coming weekend. I've never been there before, could anyone give me some tips of what to see and what to expect?

    Thanks !
    Randy Gann
    In Memory of my GGG Grandfather, Pvt. James E. Gann, Vaughn's - 3rd Tennessee Mounted Infantry. In service before Manassas, passed from Smallpox at Vicksburg, 11 April 1863. Left a young wife and several children.

    God Bless America, Our Troops and Their Families, Past and
    Present !

    DEO VINDICE
    Tags: 3rd tennessee, lillard, mississippi, vaughn, vicksburg
  • #2
    Re: Any suggestions on visiting Vicksburg?

    I was there in the spring while en route to ITPW. As a easterner I couldn't miss it. I was awed by the earthworks!!! Make sure to visit the Illinois monument and USS Cairo as well. Just bring bug spray, it was early March and the sqeeters were in clouds!!
    Bob Martin
    Company A "Chesapeake Rifles"
    Chesapeake Volunteer Guard
    sigpic

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Any suggestions on visiting Vicksburg?

      You'll enjoy everything the park has to offer with relative ease, but make sure to visit the court house downtown. Ask for directions to the Balfour house and next door to that is the home in which Pemberton made his H.Q.'s They're not open but it's neat to ride by and get a feel for their role and their proximity to the river. Oh yea, you'll get hungry for sure, down towards the river from the courthouse you'll find Rusty's Riverfront Grill...best place hands down for lunch or dinner. Have fun. If your travels bring you further South down I-55 during the weekend take the first Louisiana exit and come by Camp Moore Confederate Museum and Cemetery, this is the weekend of our annual event/living history.

      Drive safe and enjoy.
      Regards
      Dennis Neal
      "He who feels no pride in his ancestors is unworthy to be remembered by his descendants"
      David F. Boyd, Major 9th Louisiana
      Visit the site of the 16th Louisiana at
      [url]http://www.16thlainf.com/[/url]
      J. M. Wesson Lodge 317

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Any suggestions on visiting Vicksburg?

        Hi Randy,
        if you can somehow get your hands on a copy of John S Jackman's "Diary of a Confederate Soldier" before you go it has a large contemporary section on his stay at Vicksburg as part of the 1st Kentucky (Orphan's) Brigade. It's an amazing read.

        Regards
        Paul Jonsson (England, UK)

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Any suggestions on visiting Vicksburg?

          Thanks guys !! I'm excited !!
          Randy Gann
          In Memory of my GGG Grandfather, Pvt. James E. Gann, Vaughn's - 3rd Tennessee Mounted Infantry. In service before Manassas, passed from Smallpox at Vicksburg, 11 April 1863. Left a young wife and several children.

          God Bless America, Our Troops and Their Families, Past and
          Present !

          DEO VINDICE

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Any suggestions on visiting Vicksburg?

            Dennis,

            Aahhhh, The Balfour House....what memories...if that house could tell on me....

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Any suggestions on visiting Vicksburg?

              Virginia's spouse posting.

              The Cairo is definitely a high point.

              One other element I found interesting was the signs that mark the location of the various units with blue signs marking union and red for confederate. The signs also included the dates as I remember it. What I found amazing when driving along the confederate trenches after turning south after the Cairo was the placement of some signs apparently backwards only a few steps away from the confederate trenches. Upon investigation, I found that those signs marked union regiments that had fought their way almost to the confederate lines after going up a really steep hill under fire the whole way up. Impressive!

              Michael Mescher
              Virginia Mescher
              vmescher@vt.edu
              http://www.raggedsoldier.com

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Any suggestions on visiting Vicksburg?

                Oldkingcrow,

                A new book is available on Vaughn's unit. I got it on Amazon. It's very interesting. One of the first units in the field and one of last to surrender. They escorted Jeff Davis part of the way from Richmond. He was captured just after he left them.

                Vaughn's family was captured and imprisoned and of course, he lost all his property. He fought in East Tennessee after Vicksburg. I was interested because my ancestor fought with him and because it involved fighting around where I grew up. But, I have to say, I found his story and the unit's story compelling. I think you'd find the book interesting.

                I'm axious to see their lines. I know they fought well at a couple of places around Vicksburg prior to the siege. I'll let you know what I find.
                Randy Gann
                In Memory of my GGG Grandfather, Pvt. James E. Gann, Vaughn's - 3rd Tennessee Mounted Infantry. In service before Manassas, passed from Smallpox at Vicksburg, 11 April 1863. Left a young wife and several children.

                God Bless America, Our Troops and Their Families, Past and
                Present !

                DEO VINDICE

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Any suggestions on visiting Vicksburg?

                  Hey Guys,

                  I wanted to update you on my visit to Vicksburg. I am new to this hobby, so my observations are from a newbie's point of view.

                  The Rangers and other workers at the Battlefield were great. They were friendly, answered lots of questions and helped me with information on my ancestor. I paid for a licensed tour guide and enjoyed it very much. He took me to my ancestor's unit position which was outside the official park. I went back later and looked at everything again, but at a much slower pace. I was suprised at the terrain. Even though I'd read about it, I didn't expect it to be so hilly. My ancestor died at the Pest House Hospital and it is private property, so I couldn't see it. I was dissappointed in that. I should have seen some plantation's and didn't think to until I got back.


                  The workers at the Courthouse museum were also very friendly and helpful with information regarding my ancestor and his unit. It's a nice museum.

                  I drove to Port Gibson and they were also very friendly with some neat stuff to see. They claim to have the only verified ambulance wagon that served in the Civil War. They also had a ammo wagon used by Patton to chase Pancho villa. They had a one man submarine powered by a model T engine used to run moonshine across the Mississippi during prohibition. Lots of prehistoric animal and Indian stuff too.

                  Oldkingcrow, you asked about the 3rd being mounted. Seems there were 3 3rd TN units at Vicksburg. All infantry. My ancestor's unit became mounted after Vicksburg. They were paroled and regrouped in East Tn. as a mounted unit.

                  My apologies to the MS guys for the next stuff, but I think people need to know what they will experience when visiting. Lots of new hotels have been built recently and I got a good deal on a room through one of the online pricing companys. The park said they got about 600K visitors a year. I was suprised by how dirty and run down the city was. With 600k tourists and the casino's down the road, I would think it would bring significant revenue to the area that could be used for improvements. They have a huge built in tourist attraction and if marketed properly could really drive revenue for the area. A little downtown beautification and more tourist friendly areas would contribute significantly to that. The city council/county commission is missing a gold mine here. Didn't really have a good dining experience there either. They could use a good steakhouse in the downtown/battlefield area. If they have one, I missed it.

                  If you go to Port Gibson, be sure you have plenty of gas, food and water for the trip. I didn't and had to stop at a gas station/convenience store in town at the intersection of highway 18. There were several people sitting on their cars and drinking beside the building. Many were obviously drunk. I'm surprised Law Enforcement let that happen. The place was filthy. I didn't feel real safe, and of course, I had the wife and kids with me so that made me more anxious. Nothing happened but had to pay cash for the gas, and got some real hard stares while paying. Guess they could tell I wasn't from around there. I know MS. is a poor state, and I guess I'm naive, but that really surprised me. So, my point is be careful and be prepared.

                  It was still a good trip and I'd recommend people go.
                  Randy Gann
                  In Memory of my GGG Grandfather, Pvt. James E. Gann, Vaughn's - 3rd Tennessee Mounted Infantry. In service before Manassas, passed from Smallpox at Vicksburg, 11 April 1863. Left a young wife and several children.

                  God Bless America, Our Troops and Their Families, Past and
                  Present !

                  DEO VINDICE

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Any suggestions on visiting Vicksburg?

                    Damn, being born and raised on the coast of Mississippi, please allow me to apologize for not living up to such standards of life as the many fine places and crapholes I have visited in Georgia.

                    A lot of that run down, dirty and crime thing you talk about, is directly related to those casinos, I know this, because I watched it happen in my home town, and was part of the reason I got the hell out. The only reason I went to Vicksburg was for Living Histories, the only Hotel I stayed in was the Battlefield Inn, which is a dive for the most part, but has the best breakfast in the world. I ate at ONE restaurant, Rusty's, and NEVER went out anywhere at night.
                    Patrick Landrum
                    Independent Rifles

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Any suggestions on visiting Vicksburg?

                      Ive been visiting vicksburg since the late 60's and it has always been a filthy unsafe place to go. I agree with Patrick about the Battlefield Inn. Not the nicest place the breakfast is great and the suppers at night aren't half bad either. Your safe while your in the Park for the most part. Any other place, you better be in a group or you are a target.
                      Ronnie Hull
                      Lt Co G 3rd La / Co C 48th OVI
                      Shreveport, La

                      Independent Rifles and all of hell followed "
                      Western Independent Greys

                      Descendent of Levi W. Leech - Private, Co G Tenth Texas Cavalry, Dmtd 1861-1865, AOT

                      2009 Bummers November 13 - 16
                      2010 Vicksburg L.O.L February 5-7
                      Before the Breakout September 10-12

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Any suggestions on visiting Vicksburg?

                        It's been many years since I visited Vicksburg, but my memories are of a wonderful river town steeped in history. I visited lovely plantation homes,musuems, and had a great dinner at a resturant down town that had one time been a series of railroad cars that were parked/redesigned into a great place for dinner.

                        Like I said,many,many years ago. I wish I could go back and see that same wonderful town, but doesn't sound like I will ever see it again :(

                        It's intersting to hear the remarks about Casinos and their reflection onthe community! I'm so sad to hear this!

                        BTW...did you visit Natchez ? I loved that little town as well!!

                        Regards
                        Vivian Murphy
                        http://www.themantuamaker.net

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Any suggestions on visiting Vicksburg?

                          Originally posted by VMurphy View Post
                          It's been many years since I visited Vicksburg, but my memories are of a wonderful river town steeped in history. I visited lovely plantation homes,musuems, and had a great dinner at a resturant down town that had one time been a series of railroad cars that were parked/redesigned into a great place for dinner.

                          Like I said,many,many years ago. I wish I could go back and see that same wonderful town, but doesn't sound like I will ever see it again :(

                          It's intersting to hear the remarks about Casinos and their reflection onthe community! I'm so sad to hear this!

                          BTW...did you visit Natchez ? I loved that little town as well!!

                          Regards
                          Vivian Murphy
                          http://www.themantuamaker.net
                          Did not get a chance to visit Natchez, but will probably go back again and see some of the other stuf we missed.
                          Randy Gann
                          In Memory of my GGG Grandfather, Pvt. James E. Gann, Vaughn's - 3rd Tennessee Mounted Infantry. In service before Manassas, passed from Smallpox at Vicksburg, 11 April 1863. Left a young wife and several children.

                          God Bless America, Our Troops and Their Families, Past and
                          Present !

                          DEO VINDICE

                          Comment

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