Vicksburg Advice

[Greg Taylor]

I agree....you'll probably take MS 61 south to Port Hudson. Grand Gulf and Port Gibson are on that road as well and only 40 minutes south of Vicksburg. Gen. Van Dorn is buried in Port Gibson if you like to poke around cemeteries. If you like photography keep in mind that Vicksburg opens after sunrise closes before sunset. So if you want to get good golden and blue hour pics you'll need to park at the VC and walk the roads to where you set up and that could be a long haul.

Yep. Will be taking MS61. It is only 160 miles from Vicksburg to Baton Rouge, so there should be enough time for PG, GG, Natchez and Port Hudson if we get an early start.

 

[Greg Taylor]

I'm not sure how pressed for time you will be, but the Windsor ruins are worth a look.

Well, this sure sounds interesting! The problem with this kind of trip is always the same. The more you look at the map or get suggestions from others the more you realize you need more time!

 

[kepi]

You're always welcome to come back.

There is a period drawing of the home before it burned on this site.


https://www.nps.gov/vick/learn/education/upload/windsor-2.pdf

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

You've received some good advice.

I think your itinerary is very manageable, with the exception of Day 4.

Day 4- Vicksburg Battle Theater. Self-guided motor tour of (1) Grand Gulf (2) Port Gibson (3) Raymond Battlefield (4) Champion Hill Battlefield (5) Big Black River Bridge Battlefield (6) Jackson, time permitting.

I would suggest you eliminate Champion's Hill, the Big Black River and Jackson.

Grand Gulf & the Windsor ruins should not be missed.

For reasons others have pointed out: much of Champion's Hill is not open, & there's no Big Black River area accessible to the public. And Quite frankly . . . with the exception of the Old State Capitol Museum, the few remaining sites within Jackson, Mississippi are in decrepit condition and are in very dangerous parts of the city.

 

[Greg Taylor]

You've received some good advice.

I think your itinerary is very manageable, with the exception of Day 4.



I would suggest you eliminate Champion's Hill, the Big Black River and Jackson.

Grand Gulf & the Windsor ruins should not be missed.

For reasons others have pointed out: much of Champion's Hill is not open, & there's no Big Black River area accessible to the public. And Quite frankly . . . with the exception of the Old State Capitol Museum, the few remaining sites within Jackson, Mississippi are in decrepit condition and are in very dangerous parts of the city.

Based on where you are located and status as a Forum Host I must take your suggestions very seriously regarding Day 4. Considering the great importance of the Battle of Champion's Hill it is a real disappointment that it is not worth seeing. Since I will be spending the entire Day 4 in the Vicksburg area I need to find additional places to visit besides GG and the Windsor ruins. I am open to any and all suggestions.

 

[Lost Cause]

You've received some good advice.

I think your itinerary is very manageable, with the exception of Day 4.



I would suggest you eliminate Champion's Hill, the Big Black River and Jackson.

Grand Gulf & the Windsor ruins should not be missed.

For reasons others have pointed out: much of Champion's Hill is not open, & there's no Big Black River area accessible to the public. And Quite frankly . . . with the exception of the Old State Capitol Museum, the few remaining sites within Jackson, Mississippi are in decrepit condition and are in very dangerous parts of the city.

Also, it is worth the trip to see nearby Rodney if you choose Grand Gulf and the Windsor Ruins.

 

[ErnieMac]

Port Hudson is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Access to the earthworks is by a trail network about six miles in length. You can pick and choose which spots you want to see and shorten the distance if you prefer.
http://www.crt.state.la.us/louisiana-state-parks/historic-sites/port-hudson-state-historic-site/

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Based on where you are located and status as a Forum Host I must take your suggestions very seriously regarding Day 4. Considering the great importance of the Battle of Champion's Hill it is a real disappointment that it is not worth seeing. Since I will be spending the entire Day 4 in the Vicksburg area I need to find additional places to visit besides GG and the Windsor ruins. I am open to any and all suggestions.

As Allan Polk pointed out, Champion's Hill is definitely worth a visit if you have the time.

Jackson and Big Black River not so much.

 

[TinCan]

Greg,
7th Mississippi is right, unless you have just got to see Jackson skip it. And don't get discouraged while your on a Texas highway and seems like you'll never get to where your going, it's a big place!

 

[Greg Taylor]

As Allan Polk pointed out, Champion's Hill is definitely worth a visit if you have the time.

Jackson and Big Black River not so much.

OK, I believe we will drive the route for Day 4 as originally planned starting with PG, GG, then Windsor Ruins and Rodney. Then we will follow the Union Army's route to Raymond, Jackson (just a drive thru), then to Champion's Hill and see what we can see. Sometimes, based on my experience "must see" sites are a disappointment and "maybe see" or even unplanned stops are the most interesting and compelling. I would like to drive the whole route just to get the feel for the distances and terrain the army traveled. Also I like to make a " photo journal" of my travels and am always looking for unusual photo ops, especially ramshackle and decrepit ruins like abandoned houses and barns. One thing for sure, we will have plenty to do and see on Day 4. Oh boy!

 

[Greg Taylor]

Greg,
7th Mississippi is right, unless you have just got to see Jackson skip it. And don't get discouraged while your on a Texas highway and seems like you'll never get to where your going, it's a big place!

Over the years I have driven Texas north-south-east-west. While it is a great state, much of it is a vast wasteland particularly the west. I mean no disrespect to anyone, but the most uninspiring place I think I have ever been to is Lubbock. I went through there on a Monday planning to see the Buddy Holly Museum only to find it was closed. I could find no other redeeming attraction for 50 miles in any direction!

 

[kepi]

Greg,
7th Mississippi is right, unless you have just got to see Jackson skip it. And don't get discouraged while your on a Texas highway and seems like you'll never get to where your going, it's a big place!

I agree. The only thing there worth seeing is the Old Capitol Museum.

 

[Greg Taylor]

Port Hudson is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Access to the earthworks is by a trail network about six miles in length. You can pick and choose which spots you want to see and shorten the distance if you prefer.
http://www.crt.state.la.us/louisiana-state-parks/historic-sites/port-hudson-state-historic-site/

Unfortunately my brother, who is my traveling companion on this trip has physical limitations. Still it looks to be a worthwhile stop. I can take an abbreviated walking tour while he hangs out in the museum.

 

[TinCan]

Greg
As a former student of Texas Tech University I share in your observation 100% lol!

 

[JeffBrooks]

If anyone's interested, here is a blog post about my visit to the Raymond battlefield last fall and a blog post about my experiences at Vicksburg on the same trip.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

If anyone's interested, here is a blog post about my visit to the Raymond battlefield last fall and a blog post about my experiences at Vicksburg on the same trip.

Thanks for posting these links. You've provided a very accurate description of the Raymond & Vicksburg battlefields.

You're right about the Friends of Raymond, they have worked wonders in preserving what areas they can.
Civil War Trust has also played an active role in preservation of this sight.

It's my understanding there's a serious effort underway to bring the Raymond Battlefield into the National Park Service as a unit of the Vicksburg NMP.

 

[Michael W.]

If it were me, I'd make sure I allotted extra time for the USS Cairo in the Vicksburg NMP. Of course!

(For that matter, when you're in Houston, why not pop by the battleship Texas and the San Jacinto Monument? )

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...

 

[bdtex]

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.

 

[chellers]

@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.

 

[bdtex]

@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

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.