Illinois Memorial

[Blessmag]

While researching for 106th Ill. Inf. found a book that had pictures from the early days of construction of the Illinois memorial. One photo is first shovel of dirt to begin at the location. One photo is the first stone laid. One is the house next door to the memorial. One is once finished.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

And a few more construction photos:

Above images and many more at:
http://alplm-cdi.com/chroniclingillinois/items/browse?collection=193

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

The Illinois memorial is the "crown jewel " of all the monuments within the Vicksburg National Military park.

I've always enjoyed this riverfront mural of the 1906 dedication,

https://adjustingyourfocus.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/vicksburg-riverfront-murals-pt-2/

 

[LoriAnn]

Via the above link:

"Standing sixty-two feet in height and approached by forty-seven steps, each representing a day in the siege of Vicksburg, the Illinois Memorial is the largest monument in the park."

Very interesting about the 47 steps. I can't wait to lay that one on Tom when we finally get to visit. I'll be all casual about it too, like I've known it forever.

If only they had built it just one foot higher to link up with the year of the siege.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Via the above link: I can't wait to lay that one on Tom when we finally get to visit. I'll be all casual about it too, like I've known it forever.

 

[LoriAnn]

I did a search and noticed that it's been a little while (as far as I can tell) since this link has been shared, so in case anyone new is interested: The Vicksburg Animated Map from Civil War Trust. I love these things!

 

[LoriAnn]

If you're with us, you can get that all set up for me:

7th: "Say, that's a lotta steps! Huh. I wonder why so many."
LoriAnn: "Well, since you brought it up...

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I love it ! Glad to help.

7th: " Well dang LoriAnn, how did ya know that ?"

LoriAnn: " Oh just common knowledge "

7th: " Cool . . . I'm impressed ! "

Tom: (Loriann's main most husband) " I'm going back to the visitor center . . . "

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

The interior of this scaled down Roman Pantheon is just as impressive as the exterior.

 

[LoriAnn]

Oh, how I wish the video and sound were a bit better (and wish I had been there!), but I still got goosebumps watching and listening to this:

33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band at IL Vicksburg Memorial

 

[LoriAnn]

Aw. This man plays Ashokan Farewell at the Memorial. His video description says,

"But I wanted to play there in memory of my wife's great-great grandfather, Private (later Lieutenant) Silas Polley, 14th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, who was present at the battle."

 

[Patrick H]

Outstanding photos! Thank you!

 

[Tompre]

On July 3, 2013, 2,417 luminaries were placed at the Illinois State Memorial to mark each casualty from Illinois.

 

[LoriAnn]

On July 3, 2013, 2,417 luminaries were placed at the Illinois State Memorial to mark each casualty from Illinois.

Oh wow! This is beautiful.

 

[1stMS-Arty]

May 25, 2013
Gold plated eagle on top of the Illinois monument

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I still think @mt155 's photo is one the best.

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/illinois-monument-in-vicksburg.98619/#post-856895

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Another great photo by @mt155 of the interior can be seen here:
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/illinois-at-vicksburg.67501/

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Here's another interesting fact, the State of Illinois spent twenty percent of it's 1904 budget on the Vicksburg memorial.


Beginning with the first stop on the VNMP's tour road is the Illinois memorial. Winschel said it was patterned after the Roman Pantheon and locals refer to it as the "echo house," because of the echo visitors get when inside the rotunda.

Inside the memorial are the names of the 36,325 soldiers who fought in Vicksburg

"Illinois is by far, the most popular," Winschel said. "It's the largest, most ornate monument on the grounds of the national park. Dedicated in 1906, the state memorial cost $195,000."

To put things in perspective, Winschel said that when the legislature made this appropriation in 1904 it represented 20 percent of the state's budget.

The rest of the article can be read here:

http://www.vicksburgpost.com/2016/0...ique-monuments/#sthash.U7hv7fgP.QzNyDBV2.dpuf

 

[Karen Lips]

The Illinois monument at Vicksburg is my favorite memorial. It is not only beautiful, but it has a very peaceful feel about it. I understand that the people of Illinois insisted that their memorial not depict any battle scenes.

 

[Discipulus]

I had three ancestors in the 33rd Illinois and one in the 26th Illinois whose names are in bronze inside that building.

<-- Capt. Harvey J. Dutton of Co. A, 33rd Illinois. My 2xg-uncle. At Vicksburg he was a 1st Lieutenant and was wounded.

I get goosebumps seeing this memorial.