Vicksburg Reenactment?

[Gettys63]

I'm planning to come to Vicksburg battlefield for first time next year in summer. I couldn't find and google for Vicksburg battle reenactment schedule or event. Will there be one? Thanks

 

[captaindrew]

There won't be any battle reenactments on park grounds, the NPS doesn't allow it. But there may be a living history event going on while you're there. Keep an eye on the Park's website events page. There may be reenactments going on in the area though. It's out of my territory so I'm not sure where to look. Maybe @Rusk County Avengers or @7th Mississippi Infantry or @DixieRifles may know where you could find out.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

I keep track of the Reenacting scene in Vicksburg, or lack thereof. @Gettys63 I'm sorry but there hasn't been a reenactment there in, going by all I've heard, maybe 30-35 years. Excepting a brief event near Champion Hill I think during the 150th.

Now there is Living Histories in the area, but I'm also sorry to inform you that season has passed.

In late June, early July the NPS has demos, usually with a real nice actually bronze Napoleon cannon. Always Federal cannoneers. And occasionally, pretty rarely there's a full on Living History. Usually one or both sides. But this always near the anniversary of the Surrender.

As for other things, the Courthouse Museum always has a Living History of sorts, that is usually well attended, however it's incredibly disorganized. The one year I went I was given the dates, and got there just to find it wrapping up. This year I planned on going and participating, was told it would reenact the surrender, was unable to go, and saw instead they did the normal thing they do with reenacting locals enlisting to go off in 1861. Good thing I didn't make it, I would've looked nothing like 1861!

That being said I applaud their efforts at both venues as NOBODY for some tragic reason seems interested or willing to do the work to have a reenactment going. Which is desperately needed for recognition purposes if anything else for such an important event.

To keep up I suggest you follow the Vicksburg NMP on social media, and if they still have a public presence, the Warren County Historic Courthouse in Vicksburg.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

I would also recommend following the Friends of the Battle of Raymond as they are nearby and have been getting more active. I know last month or two during "the season" they had a Living History demo, where an original artillery piece that was there at that battle and I'm assuming the subsequent Siege of Vicksburg was fired.

@alan polk I believe may be plugged in more on that than myself.

But hey I'm just glad someone in the world wants to see one! I know I do!

 

[tony_gunter]

Friends of Raymond held reenactments regularly for a while but I think the last one was 2012.

The park has regular living history events every day during the summer, live firing a cannon, etc.

This year they had a special USCT living history unit, but I haven't made it back to see it.

 

[DixieRifles]

In late June, early July the NPS has demos, usually with a real nice actually bronze Napoleon cannon. Always Federal cannoneers.

I was going to mention the demonstrations. I visited on the 150th Anniversary of July 4th surrender and they had firing demonstrations. I had heard they were building a detailed segment of earthworks to demonstrate infantry firing — but I cant confirm that.

Do they have reenactments for Champions Hill?

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

I was going to mention the demonstrations. I visited on the 150th Anniversary of July 4th surrender and they had firing demonstrations. I had heard they were building a detailed segment of earthworks to demonstrate infantry firing — but I cant confirm that.

Do they have reenactments for Champions Hill?

I don't think they have in years and years.

HOWEVER! Word reached me the other day next month there's an event of some sort at Grand Gulf gonna happen and supposedly they hope it grows into a reenactment.

Now if they're to be successful they need to learn to let folks know more ahead of time….