Monday, May 30, 2011
Wisconsin Monument at Vicksburg
Monday was Memorial Day originally known as “Decoration Day” because of the tradition of decorating the graves of those who had died in the Civil War. This year we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. One of the Civil War Military parks is Vicksburg National Military Park, which commemorates the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg. Today there are over 1340 monuments in the Vicksburg Park and you can take a tour from your favorite chair. We have the guided tour of the park on DVD and audio CD. Wisconsin was represented by 17 units of infantry, cavalry, and artillery in the Union army that besieged the city in 1863. The Wisconsin Monument at Vicksburg Park was dedicated one hundred years ago on May 22, 1911 at the cost of $90,644. It stands 122 feet in height and has a bronze statue of “Old Abe” the war eagle, mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry, sitting atop the monument. This memorial features bronze tablets with the names of the 9,075 Wisconsin troops who fought at Vicksburg. Learn more about Wisconsin’s role during the Vicksburg campaign and siege with the 1914 book “Wisconsin at Vicksburg”.