Vicksburg Thank you

[Johnny Shafto]

We just returned from a wonderful visit to Vicksburg which included a visit to the battle grounds at Raymond, two days exploring the Vicksburg National Military Park, and a visit to the highly recommended Vicksburg Civil War Museum. A special thank you to Drew, huskerblitz, iron bender, bdtex, JohnG0609, tony gunter, and Samwisep86 for their recommendations which proved invaluable. We stopped at Raymond as we traveled north following an open house at the LIGO Gravitational Wave Observatory outside of Livingston Louisiana. Here the beautiful Court House in Raymond…

The USS Cairo was very impressive and felt much larger than expected. Unfortunately due to the shutdown the associated museum/gift shop was closed although the bathrooms were accessible. The main visitor center was also closed. Everyone has seen pictures of the Cairo but I thought you might enjoy this detail of the ship's propulsion system…

Work on the Illinois Memorial is well underway and appeared to be progressing nicely. Some of the existing vegetation, especially along the Confederate lines, seemed out of place. We were curious as to how the Park Service approaches rendering the grounds in terms of how it appeared in 1863 and does erosion control play a factor? Nearing Stockade Redan on the Confederate line at Ewing's Approach. The best picture of me in the Tilly cap.

The Vicksburg Civil War Museum on Washington Street in the downtown area was very impressive. The hour we allocated was insufficient to inspect this extensive collection. The museum was quite busy at the time and we never had the opportunity to ask questions regarding what truly is a breathtaking assemblage. We were curious as to how it was it started and who or what is primarily responsible for amassing such a huge collection?

Dining included a great lunch at the Brick Street Market, where the sandwiches are next to none and a lovely dinner at 10 South Rooftop Bar and Grill. Again our sincere thanks to the numerous members of CWT for their help in making our visit such a memorable experience. J.S.

 

[redbob]

The Vicksburg Civil War Museum is the brainchild of Charles Pendleton who is a Vicksburg native and the first African-American to establish and run a Civil War Museum. Charles is a first class person and has spent a great deal of time, effort and expense to establish a first class museum.

 

[bankerpapaw]

We just returned from a wonderful visit to Vicksburg which included a visit to the battle grounds at Raymond, two days exploring the Vicksburg National Military Park, and a visit to the highly recommended Vicksburg Civil War Museum. A special thank you to Drew, huskerblitz, iron bender, bdtex, JohnG0609, tony gunter, and Samwisep86 for their recommendations which proved invaluable. We stopped at Raymond as we traveled north following an open house at the LIGO Gravitational Wave Observatory outside of Livingston Louisiana. Here the beautiful Court House in Raymond…

View attachment 568466

The USS Cairo was very impressive and felt much larger than expected. Unfortunately due to the shutdown the associated museum/gift shop was closed although the bathrooms were accessible. The main visitor center was also closed. Everyone has seen pictures of the Cairo but I thought you might enjoy this detail of the ship's propulsion system…

View attachment 568467

Work on the Illinois Memorial is well underway and appeared to be progressing nicely. Some of the existing vegetation, especially along the Confederate lines, seemed out of place. We were curious as to how the Park Service approaches rendering the grounds in terms of how it appeared in 1863 and does erosion control play a factor? Nearing Stockade Redan on the Confederate line at Ewing's Approach. The best picture of me in the Tilly cap.

View attachment 568468

The Vicksburg Civil War Museum on Washington Street in the downtown area was very impressive. The hour we allocated was insufficient to inspect this extensive collection. The museum was quite busy at the time and we never had the opportunity to ask questions regarding what truly is a breathtaking assemblage. We were curious as to how it was it started and who or what is primarily responsible for amassing such a huge collection?

View attachment 568470

View attachment 568471

Dining included a great lunch at the Brick Street Market, where the sandwiches are next to none and a lovely dinner at 10 South Rooftop Bar and Grill. Again our sincere thanks to the numerous members of CWT for their help in making our visit such a memorable experience. J.S.

Wonderful pictures!! Thanks!!

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

We just returned from a wonderful visit to Vicksburg which included a visit to the battle grounds at Raymond, two days exploring the Vicksburg National Military Park

We're glad you had a wonderful visit !

We were curious as to how the Park Service approaches rendering the grounds in terms of how it appeared in 1863 and does erosion control play a factor?

A few years ago, the NPS began a program to restore the grounds to it's 1863 appearance. The Park Service did have some success with this program, but I think budget reductions were a factor in the overall plan.

Regarding erosion, that has always been/and will always be a problem not only within the National Park ... but throughout the Vicksburg area. Not too long ago, our weather and the nature of the soil caused some serious erosion problems that prompted the closure of a few sections in the park.

I'm sure our CWT Vicksburg members can provide more specifics ...along with recent updates.

Again, I'm glad ya'll had an enjoyable time in Vicksburg!

 

[Johnny Shafto]

The Vicksburg Civil War Museum is the brainchild of Charles Pendleton who is a Vicksburg native and the first African-American to establish and run a Civil War Museum. Charles is a first class person and has spent a great deal of time, effort and expense to establish a first class museum.

It was likely Mr. Pendleton we saw giving a guided tour of the museum. He has succeeded on so many levels; the amount and variety of content and how it is displayed in such an educational manner. So many unique, fascinating, and insightful items. Some related to slavery were both thought provoking and quite disturbing. It quickly became obvious how much thought, passion, love, and dedication went into the endeavor. Stunning actually.

 

[7th Texas Mounted Rifles]

The Vicksburg Civil War Museum is the brainchild of Charles Pendleton who is a Vicksburg native and the first African-American to establish and run a Civil War Museum. Charles is a first class person and has spent a great deal of time, effort and expense to establish a first class museum.

It was likely Mr. Pendleton we saw giving a guided tour of the museum. He has succeeded on so many levels; the amount and variety of content and how it is displayed in such an educational manner. So many unique, fascinating, and insightful items. Some related to slavery were both thought provoking and quite disturbing. It quickly became obvious how much thought, passion, love, and dedication went into the endeavor. Stunning actually.

Charles is good people, for sure… and a (USMC) vet himself.

During our visit back in March, we had the better part of a two hour discussion about the ACW - and I'd bet half of it was in front of/about that shot & shell display behind the plexiglass. My wife loved the period bottles skirting the ceiling around the entire shop as well.

@Johnny Shafto - Did you check the little nook between his front counter and the wall?

He sets stuff out there for sale occasionally. I had some 13" mortar frags and a nice case gin bottle follow me back to Texas to fill holes in my collection.

Glad you had a great trip!

 

[iron bender]

Can't wait to get back to Vicksburg in February for the Civil War show!

 

[redbob]

Charles is good people, for sure… and a (USMC) vet himself.

During our visit back in March, we had the better part of a two hour discussion about the ACW - and I'd bet half of it was in front of/about that shot & shell display behind the plexiglass. My wife loved the period bottles skirting the ceiling around the entire shop as well.

@Johnny Shafto - Did you check the little nook between his front counter and the wall?

He sets stuff out there for sale occasionally. I had some 13" mortar frags and a nice case gin bottle follow me back to Texas to fill holes in my collection.

Glad you had a great trip!

Yet another reason to like him. Semper Fi and I watched him carry out enough of that iron from shows to build a small armored vehicle.

 

[Blessmag]

My ancestor's name in the Ill memorial. Edwin R. Grubbs. 126th Ill. Inf. Co. D

 

[Johnny Shafto]

Charles is good people, for sure… and a (USMC) vet himself.

During our visit back in March, we had the better part of a two hour discussion about the ACW - and I'd bet half of it was in front of/about that shot & shell display behind the plexiglass. My wife loved the period bottles skirting the ceiling around the entire shop as well.

@Johnny Shafto - Did you check the little nook between his front counter and the wall?

He sets stuff out there for sale occasionally. I had some 13" mortar frags and a nice case gin bottle follow me back to Texas to fill holes in my collection.

Glad you had a great trip!

Completely missed the "point of purchase" nook. I could easily spend several more hours being educated and entertained. The formal letters of secession from the various 11 states were interesting. Gambled that most would be viewable online which fortunately proved true.

Charles is good people, for sure… and a (USMC) vet himself.

During our visit back in March, we had the better part of a two hour discussion about the ACW - and I'd bet half of it was in front of/about that shot & shell display behind the plexiglass. My wife loved the period bottles skirting the ceiling around the entire shop as well.

@Johnny Shafto - Did you check the little nook between his front counter and the wall?

He sets stuff out there for sale occasionally. I had some 13" mortar frags and a nice case gin bottle follow me back to Texas to fill holes in my collection.

Glad you had a great trip!

 

[Kathy the history sleuth]

The Vicksburg Civil War Museum is the brainchild of Charles Pendleton who is a Vicksburg native and the first African-American to establish and run a Civil War Museum. Charles is a first class person and has spent a great deal of time, effort and expense to establish a first class museum.

I visited the museum and spoke with Charles when I visited Vicksburg. It is indeed impressive.

 

[bdtex]

A special thank you to Drew, huskerblitz, iron bender, bdtex, JohnG0609, tony gunter, and Samwisep86 for their recommendations which proved invaluable.

Glad you had a good time. So much to see and do in and around Vicksburg. I went in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

 

[Tom Hughes]

The Civil War museum is very impressive indeed....but don't forget the Old Courthouse Museum on top of the hill. The courthouse itself was an iconic figure during the siege. It houses a collection which contains thousands of items picked up and donated by the locals since the siege. The Old Courthouse museum is primarily Vicksburg artifacts. The artifacts that Charles has is impressive but most are not from Vicksburg. They are from various battlefields and camps across the southeast.