Junior Rangers meet “Old Douglas”

On Thursday, Junior Rangers got a chance to meet the mascot of the 43rd Mississippi Infantry, representative of the original “Old Douglas”.

Thanks to Mr. Doug Baum’s Texas Camel Corps, Junior Rangers had a chance to meet two camels who represent “Old Douglas”, the mascot for the 43rd Mississippi Infantry and learn about the mascot’s history during the Siege of Vicksburg.

The Siege of Vicksburg happened on July 4, 1863 and came after a 47-day siege which forced General John C. Pemberton to surrender to Ulysses S. Grant.

Those wishing to meet the pair of mascots can do so on Saturday between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. just outside the man visitor center inside the Vicksburg National Military Park. The cannon ceremony which commemorates the 158th anniversary of the surrender of Vicksburg will take place at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

Consistent with CDC recommendations, people who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces. For more information please call(601) 636-0583.