At this place: honoring Wisconsin’s legacy at Vicksburg

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Rising 122 feet above the rolling landscape of Vicksburg National Military Park, the Wisconsin State Memorial stands as a commanding tribute to the 9,075 soldiers from Wisconsin who served in the Vicksburg campaign during the Civil War.

Dedicated on May 22, 1911, the granite monument was the work of prominent New York architect W. Liance Cottrell and cost $90,644 to build. The stone was quarried in Winnsboro, South Carolina, and its towering presence stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Wisconsin soldiers during the 47 day siege of Vicksburg.

At the base of the monument, bronze tablets bear the names of those who served, offering visitors a personal connection to the lives remembered here. One especially poignant feature is a bronze relief panel showing a Union and Confederate soldier reaching out in a handshake, a powerful image of post-war reconciliation and national unity.

A bronze likeness of Old Abe, the bald eagle mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry, stands proudly atop the soaring column. During the Civil War, the real Old Abe accompanied Union troops into battle, becoming a powerful symbol of courage and a national icon of resilience. His remarkable story inspired both soldiers and civilians across the country. The statue was crafted by Julius Loester, who also created the detailed bronze sculptures and reliefs featured around the memorial.

Flanking the monument are two additional bronze figures: a cavalryman with his horse on one side and an infantryman on the other. These figures represent the varied contributions of Wisconsin’s soldiers, whose roles ranged from cavalry charges to front-line infantry engagements.

Together, these elements form a story etched in bronze and carved in stone, memorializing the service, sacrifice, and the enduring legacy of those brave soldiers from Wisconsin.

The Old Courthouse Museum has an amazing collection of old photos taken in the Vicksburg and Warren county area. If you are ever interested in getting an old photo printed for your home or business, contact the staff at the Old Courthouse Museum and they can make it happen.

Starting in 2022, Chris Bolm began to take images from the Old Court House Museum‘s photo collections and pinpoint their current locations and replicate the shot. Bolm named the series “Then and Now.”