158th anniversary of the surrender of Vicksburg to be commemorated by Vicksburg National Military Park

The Vicksburg National Military Park will be commemorating the 158th anniversary of the surrender of Vicksburg on  Saturday, July 3 and  Sunday, July 4.

The surrender was forced by Ulysses S. Grant of the United States Army after constructing 15 miles of trenches and enclosing General John C. Pemberton’s forces inside the perimeter. Pemberton surrendered Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, after a 47-day siege. These events honor the courage, fortitude, and sacrifice of the troops here at Vicksburg.

The park cannon detachment will begin artillery demonstrations at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. The demonstration will be at Tour Stop 1 on the park tour road.

This event also kicks off the living history programs for the summer. The King of Battle (Cannon Demonstrations) and The Soldier’s Life (Musket Demonstrations) programs will be offered on a regular basis at the demonstration area next to the Visitor Center through Labor Day. Please check the park website for dates and times.

On Saturday, July 3, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Doug Baum and his camels of the Texas Camel Corps will be at the park representing Old Douglas, a camel that served with the 43rd Mississippi Volunteer Infantry during the siege of Vicksburg in 1863. The camels will be available to visit just outside the main visitor center inside the park.

On Sunday, July 4, at 3 p.m. there will be a program at the Surrender Site on Pemberton Ave. in the park.

Programs are free and open to the public. Programs may be canceled due inclement weather.  Consistent with CDC recommendations, people who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces.