Vicksburg Advice

YES. If you are interested in the very least about the Naval aspect, you must go inside the Cairo museum. The artifacts recovered from the ship will blow your mind...:smile:
Ima do that for sure.
 
Hey everyone. Lots of Vicksburg threads in this forum so I'm just gonna tag onto this one. Doing a roadtrip to Vicksburg from 10/27-10/30. Never been before. Think it's probably a 6 hour drive or so from where I live. Gonna somewhat break the drive up a little bit. Plan to leave before sunrise on 10/27 and stop at Alexandria,LA on the way up and visit Alexandria National Cemetery and Fort Randolph. Plan to do the full NPS tour in Vicksburg,including the Cairo and Museum and Vicksburg National Cemetery,the Cedar Hill Cemetery and Soldier's Rest and the old courthouse on Friday the 28th. I hope I can do all that in one day. The plan then is to go to Grand Gulf,Port Gibson and Raymond on Saturday. Not sure how long all that might take. Wanna save Champion Hill and whatever there might be to see at Jackson,Big Black River Bridge,Chickasaw Bluffs etc. for the next trip. Wanna read a book about Champion Hill before I go there and I wanna go on the private tour of the land still owned by the Champion family. Probably get up early Sunday and drive straight back home. Saving Port Hudson for a quickie weekend roadtrip some other time too. Suggestions welcome. Already gotta a hotel room booked.
That sounds like a good itinerary. One day devoted to the National Park & USS Cairo with next day devoted to Grand Gulf, Port Gibson & Raymond.

On Saturday, I would recommend taking Hwy 61 South down to Port Gibson/Grand Gulf ( be sure to try to see the Windsor ruins while you're in the Port Gibson area).

After that, I would recommend taking the Natchez Trace Parkway up to Raymond.
It's about thirty five miles at 50 mph, but well worth it. There's historic & natural sites along the way with a good chance of seeing much wildlife. It's a very therapeutic drive . . . unless there's a bicycle marathon underway. :smoke:

@7th Mississippi Infantry, James N., or anyone familiar with this drive, are there any Must Sees or Must Eats along I-20 corridor in northern Louisiana, including Vicksburg.
No must sees or must eats along that portion of I-20, that I can recommend.
I would suggest going on to Vicksburg and using that time in Park/USS Cairo.

Although the Vicksburg NMP is much smaller than others, Gettysburg for example. It's also been called one of the nation's greatest "art parks". Many monuments, statues, ect.

In other words, there's a lot to see in a compact area. :thumbsup:
 
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Is there anything at Chickasaw Bluffs,Snyder's Bluff or Haynes' Bluff?
I'm afraid not.

There are a couple of roadside markers, but that's about it.

Edited to add:

The terrain at Highway 61 North at the Yazoo River is virtually unchanged since the War, This is where the flat Mississippi Delta meets the Vicksburg bluffs.
 
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That sounds like a good itinerary. One day devoted to the National Park & USS Cairo with next day devoted to Grand Gulf, Port Gibson & Raymond.

On Saturday, I would recommend taking Hwy 61 down to Port Gibson/Grand Gulf ( be sure to try to see the Windsor ruins while you're in the Port Gibson area).

After that, I would recommend taking the Natchez Trace Parkway up to Raymond.
It's about thirty five miles at 50 mph, but well worth it. There's historic & natural sites along the way with a good chance of seeing much wildlife. It's a very therapeutic drive . . . unless there's a bicycle marathon underway. :smoke:


No must sees or must eats along that portion of I-20, that I can recommend.
I would suggest going on to Vicksburg and using that time in Park/USS Cairo.

Although the Vicksburg NMP is much smaller than others, Gettysburg for example. It's also been called one of the nation's greatest "art parks". Many monuments, statues, ect.

In other words, there's a lot to see in a compact area. :thumbsup:
Thanks for your comments, 7th. Is there a good place to eat in Vicksburg, cuisine doesn't matter but of course I would prefer Cajun or seafood? A good hamburger/fries would work, too.
 
Is there anything at Chickasaw Bluffs,Snyder's Bluff or Haynes' Bluff?
As noted above, not a lot. However, the terrain is much the same as it was back in 1862 and the road that DeCourcy traveled down is still there (only paved now). The sign is along the highway but you can turn up Chickasaw Road and travel to the areas where the Federals disembarked on their way south towards the bluffs. If you drive the route (pickup the Vicksburg Campaign Driving Tour Guide from the park) and it will not take very long. But it gives you a good sense of what the Union was up against in that battle. I would say it is definitely worth the drive and the half hour or hour if you stop to take photos. Keep in mind, however, most of the land is private property so stay along the road side.
 
Thanks for your comments, 7th. Is there a good place to eat in Vicksburg, cuisine doesn't matter but of course I would prefer Cajun or seafood? A good hamburger/fries would work, too.
Vicksburg has a lot of good restaurants.

My favorites are: The Walnut Hills Restaurant, Rusty's Riverfront Grill, Main Street Market and KJ's Rivertown.


 
I'm afraid not.

There are a couple of roadside markers, but that's about it.

Edited to add:

The terrain at Highway 61 North at the Yazoo River is virtually unchanged since the War, This is where the flat Mississippi Delta meets the Vicksburg bluffs.
Would that be Business 61?
 
As noted above, not a lot. However, the terrain is much the same as it was back in 1862 and the road that DeCourcy traveled down is still there (only paved now). The sign is along the highway but you can turn up Chickasaw Road and travel to the areas where the Federals disembarked on their way south towards the bluffs. If you drive the route (pickup the Vicksburg Campaign Driving Tour Guide from the park) and it will not take very long. But it gives you a good sense of what the Union was up against in that battle. I would say it is definitely worth the drive and the half hour or hour if you stop to take photos. Keep in mind, however, most of the land is private property so stay along the road side.
Chickasaw Road is on the west side of Chickasaw Bayou correct?
 
If any native Vicksburgers wanna hook up while I'm there,even if it's just for dinner,private message me.
 
Would that be Business 61?
Yes and no.

"Business 61" will eventually intersect with the new "Hwy 61 north" that crosses the Yazoo River.

Once on the "new" Hwy 61, continue north to state highway 3 north of the village of Redwood and turn right.
That will take you along the Confederate lines connecting the earthworks at Snyder's, Haynes' & Dromgoole's Bluffs.

My G G Grandad was in reserve at Camp Milldale (behind these fortifications) during the early phase of the Vicksburg campaign. A few years ago I took a trip up this highway to see if anything was left.

Nothing.

Only one ancient marker on a little highway "stop".

From what I recall there was more about the 1719 French Fort St. Pierre site than the Confederate Yazoo River defenses.

Sorry if I sound negative, but I'm trying to recommend where to make the most of your brief time time while in the Vicksburg area.
 
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Yes and no.

"Business 61" will eventually intersect with the new "Hwy 61 north" that crosses the Yazoo River.

To be honest, "Business 61" may follow the original Union troop movements . . . but in 2016, it's not in the safest part of town.

Once on the "new" Hwy 61, continue north to state highway 3 north of the village of Redwood and turn right.
That will take you along the Confederate lines connecting the earthworks at Snyder's, Haynes' & Dromgoole's Bluffs.

My G G Grandad was in reserve at Camp Milldale (behind these fortifications) during the early phase of the Vicksburg campaign. A few years ago I took a trip up this highway to see if anything was left.

Nothing.

Only one ancient marker on a little highway "stop".

From what I recall there was more about the 1719 French Fort St. Pierre site than the Confederate Yazoo River defenses.

Sorry if I sound negative, but I'm trying to recommend where to make the most of your brief time time while in the Vicksburg area.
Thanks. I was just curious. I have the NPS brochure and it shows Bus 61 and new Hwy 61 north. I am staying at the LaQuinta Inn which is fairly close to Hwy 61 North I think. Doubt I would have time for that this trip anyway. The drive on Chickasaw Road that huskerblitz suggested sounds interesting but I don't know that there will be time for that either.
 
@bdtex, this sounds like the trip I've planned with the exception of Alexandria. I've been studying Vicksburg, but have not nailed the date. Will not be this year but hoping Spring 2017.

@7th Mississippi Infantry, James N., or anyone familiar with this drive, are there any Must Sees or Must Eats along I-20 corridor in northern Louisiana, including Vicksburg.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/recommendations.
I am travelling from the Houston area and Alexandria is on the way. Seems like a good place for a short sightseeing stop. Just finished reading a coupla books about Vicksburg to learn up on it before my first visit. As I said,I plan to go there again. I've already gotten a book recommendation on the Battle Of Champion Hill. Wanna read it before I visit the battlefield. I plan to ask a lotta questions while on this trip to Vicksburg.

This thread included my experiences concerning visiting Vicksburg and its environs: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/touring-the-vicksburg-and-port-hudson-campaign-sites.125307/ This is the latest of several I've posted concerning the park itself: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/return-to-vicksburg-nmp.87568/ This one covers in part the town, including Pemberton's headquarters: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/vicksburgs-nineteenth-century-crawford-street-enclave.87239/ Another thread deals with Raymond: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/photos-of-the-raymond-battlefield.90805/ As for other sites along the way to Vicksburg, other than the unrelated spot where Bonnie and Clyde were ambushed and killed by the FBI, the only thing I can think of is this: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/kate-stone-of-brokenburn.87144/

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This thread included my experiences concerning visiting Vicksburg and its environs: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/touring-the-vicksburg-and-port-hudson-campaign-sites.125307/ This is the latest of several I've posted concerning the park itself: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/return-to-vicksburg-nmp.87568/ This one covers in part the town, including Pemberton's headquarters: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/vicksburgs-nineteenth-century-crawford-street-enclave.87239/ Another thread deals with Raymond: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/photos-of-the-raymond-battlefield.90805/ As for other sites along the way to Vicksburg, other than the unrelated spot where Bonnie and Clyde were ambushed and killed by the FBI, the only thing I can think of is this: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/kate-stone-of-brokenburn.87144/

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Thank you for the links. I'd already seen some of those threads but not all of them.
 
This thread included my experiences concerning visiting Vicksburg and its environs: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/touring-the-vicksburg-and-port-hudson-campaign-sites.125307/ This is the latest of several I've posted concerning the park itself: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/return-to-vicksburg-nmp.87568/ This one covers in part the town, including Pemberton's headquarters: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/vicksburgs-nineteenth-century-crawford-street-enclave.87239/ Another thread deals with Raymond: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/photos-of-the-raymond-battlefield.90805/ As for other sites along the way to Vicksburg, other than the unrelated spot where Bonnie and Clyde were ambushed and killed by the FBI, the only thing I can think of is this: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/kate-stone-of-brokenburn.87144/

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Thanks so much, James, for reminding me about those threads.
They will be quite helpful. :thumbsup:
 
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