Vicksburg Battlefield Guided Tour

[@paulaadams1765]

I will be in Vicksburg November 2023. Looking forward to visit in its 160th anniversary year. I was at Gettysburg in its 150th anniversary year. Thank you for sharing your insights and some of the critical points of the siege by the park guide. I’ve already hired one for my visit.

[@davidschneider5462]

Thanks for the video. I've been to the battlefield twice, in the '80s to early '90s. I enjoyed it both times. I did get to see the Cairo, and as a Naval Academy grad it was fascinating to see this ironclad and imagine what it would have been like to serve aboard her. One place I found interesting was the old Vicksburg Courthouse which was converted to a museum. When my wife and entered the museum we were greeted by a very friendly older woman who seemed like someone's sweet grandmother. We were handed a map of the museum and after reviewing it and seeing the large Confederate Room on the map, I made the mistake of asking where the Union Room was. This friendly woman quickly and harshly responded with "you won't find any damn Union Room in this city." After walking through the museum and seeing the displays about the results of the siege on the civilian population I understood her emotions.

[@kateterry2452]

Oh goodness hah! I haven’t had that experience but I’m the daughter of “Richard” aka Robert :)

[@gmlogan4889]

As a proud Illinoisan, very pleased you spent time at the Illinois Memorial. The story of the Western Theater can’t be written without noting the heavy sacrifices of the troops from Illinois. ❤

[@JG-hr8rl]

I never knew the story of the 20th Missouri. Thank you for sharing and the shot of the Missouri memorial. Being from St Louis I definitely feel like a visit is in order. Wonderful video

[@WalterLeach-l4t]

Great video Gregg Thanks for all the work it takes to create, edit and post

[@andyshaw5378]

Absolutely fascinating, the guide was brilliant well worth the money. Any recommendations for a good book about the battle ??

[@LittleWarsTV]

Winston Grooms book on Vicksburg is a very accessible read!

[@henrysmith8012]

Its haunted. I live near it. Great place.

[@kevinbradley3356]

Mississippi always gets the short end of the stick.always will .

[@billsumruld1665]

I am so sorry you guys missed seeing the Cairo and the little museum that is adjoining it. It is a terrific experience. The Cairo sank so fast that the crew's possessions were left on board. The little museum is full of items from their everyday life rescued from the mud of the Yazoo when the ship was raised. It gives a fascinating picture of life aboard a union ironclad during the war. Of course the sinking was fantastically significant in the history of weapons of war since, as I understand, it fell prey to the first ever electrically detonate mine.

[@acrossthetablenz]

Vicksburg is a very interesting battlefield to visit and one I shall long remember. Your comments on the trees and signage are interesting and mirror my own observations. I did come away with the view, perhaps incorrectly, that with lower visitor numbers meant park resources were less. Despite that Vicksburg was a rewarding battlefield to visit and a credit to the NPS and their staff. Thanks for compiling your report.

[@soccerdogMaggie]

Robert Terry is wonderful. He drove me around the park in November, 2022. He is well spoken, knowledgeable, and just a great person to be with as he brought the battlefield to life. I highly recommend using Robert as a tour guide. Once I saw the terrain, I understood why the Union forces struggled to "get at" Vicksburg. Robert told me an interesting fact. Before the siege, the Union forces tried unsuccessfuly to dig a canal to bypass Vicksburg. Mother nature did it in 1876 when the Mississippi River jumped its banks, bypassing Vicksburg.

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Love that he read from Osborn Oldroyd's diary. Oldroyd actually took command of Company E at the Battle of Raymond when all the men above him in rank went down. My 5th great grandfather was a 50 year old Corporal in Company H, 20th Ohio (his teenage son was the company drummer). Currently writing a book on the company. Thanks for this great tour of the battlefield!

[@nitinh2499]

Great video! 👍🏼👍🏼 It really give me a good understanding of the battle and siege of Vicksburg.

[@timehrat8557]

my ancestor was in the 47th ill vol inf. As a proud Illinoisan i was there to visit after a reenactment we did at champions hill back in 1983 the park looks bigger than i remember. nice to see the western theater were the war was won

[@damonmosier3651]

I wonder if the lack of many tourists is a chicken and egg thing. People are less drawn to it because it is less presentable, and it is less presentable because fewer people are drawn to it. You've also got the fact that Gettysburg and Antietam are right on the border between North & South so you've got people from both sides who have their own reasons for wanting to visit. Whereas Vicksburg is so deep in the South, away from the "victors" who might be more interested in seeing it. Meanwhile, perhaps fewer Southerners are interested in it because of the feeling of anger and shame felt throughout the South for its loss. The 4th of July wasn't even celebrated in Vicksburg until the 1960s, so I can't imagine a lot of locals were that interested in continuously reliving their defeat or catering to those who came to do exactly that.

[@jeroenkoopman3368]

How many troops from Illinois died at Vicksburg?

[@robertmills8640]

Nice, but How bout a few more games and/rules reviews. That's what caused be to subscribe in the 1st place.

[@redsaber7929]

Was there 2 years ago and, sadly, the Cairo was closed then as well. Vicksburg is definitely a MUST see for anyone interested in the Civil War. The city of Vicksburg is a fantastic place to spend time exploring. Awesome video guys. Thanks.

[@bigsarge2085]

✌️

[@85Funkadelic]

I toured this battlefield as a teen. We had a dog and some of the confederate actors laughingly threatened to eat him. They were making the point that they were starving under siege. It was a cool moment and no one ate my dog lol.

[@DeePsix501]

Now this is a great way to start a Tuesday! Thanks for taking the time to document the historical battlefield along with the wargame. You guys could give Ken Burns a run for his money. If you guys ever venture to North Carolina to do Guilford Courthouse in a future season, I'd love to join in and have a round of local beers on me! It's not as fancy as a lot of other national battlefields and suffers from the same tree issue, but I think it is still interesting and a significant in Cornwallis' southern campaign, and had some interesting leaders present.

[@LittleWarsTV]

We’ve talked about SC and NC battlefields as a possible journey. Nothing planned though

[@DeePsix501]

@@LittleWarsTV definitely no where near as impressive as the big named battlefields, and I think terribly underfunded. However, still historically significant, and have had great experiences with the NPS Staff.

[@MichaelCorryFilms]

​​@@LittleWarsTVouth Carolina coastal and amphibious operations might be interesting. If you slip into Georgia and get to Savannah, fort Pulaski is worth visiting and is an interesting engagement.

[@jpavlvs]

My Great Grandfather's eldest brothers fought under Grant in the west. Sadly, I have no idea if one of them served here.

[@LittleWarsTV]

If it’s an IL regiment, every soldier who fought from IL is listed inside the IL Memorial!

[@cormaconeill8241]

Sherman was my great great grandfather thank you for posting this was extremely informative and interesting.

[@tennesseeridgerunner5992]

Did his love of arson, looting, and depredations upon defenseless old men, women and children pass on to you?

[@crumbum2]

I would hate to go on a guided tour, but would love to have their tour map so I know where to visit. Hopefully they have that at the visitors center.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Oh yes, there’s an extensive self guided auto tour if you want to fly solo

[@mrgunn2726]

The Union forever, Hurrah! boys, hurrah! Down with the traitors, Up with the stars; While we rally round the flag, boys, Rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom!

[@TheShunts]

Great video! 🎉

[@kateterry5959]

🎉Robert

[@horizon42q]

Good one

[@2ManyHobbies16]

Well this was just added to the must see list.Thanks guys for the video. Remember never to much to see or show, virtual tour is awesome especially by you guys . Not everyone might be able to ever make it there.Thanks guys again.

[@Mr_Mgun]

great video guys.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Thanks so much!

[@scottcook9823]

I just visited Vicksburg for the first time last week.. (after having been to all the other major civil war battlefields and forts in America) Your assessment is spot on in everyway. Awesome battlefield! Can use more interpretive signs from the parking areas. I was able to move up and down the gullys to get a perspective of what it would be like to attack uphill a forftifed position. There was no way the Union could take Vicksburg by storm. Siege was the only option. You can only come to that conclusion by being there. The museum should be enlarged. And the USS Cairo was a plesant surprise. A huge water tank! Reminded me of a snapping turtle with guns! How the entire crew survived the sinking is amazing. Thank you Little Wars!

[@peteenglish8773]

Great video, thanks again. Visited Vicksburg in Oct ‘22 with two game buddies. Highly recommended, Cairo is amazing, sorry it was closed.

[@Anvilarm07]

Thank you for this informative video. I didn't know much about Vicksburg before your game and this video.

[@MichaelCorryFilms]

Ah man! Bad luck about the Cairo! While watching the video I was waiting for you guys to cover it.

[@thunderccr5056]

Thanks for taking the time to make these videos. Living in England it’s unlikely I’m going to get across the pond anytime soon. It is fascinating to see these battle fields! All the best! (Altar of Freedom is a fantastic game Greg)😉👍

[@pacificostudios]

When I visited Vicksburg, I was immediately impressed with the difference between a map and actual terrain. Gettysburg, is a relatively simple situation, and its been covered and discussed ad infinitum. Vicksburg is a tangled mess of ravines and ridges and tree-covered terrain. It is ideal ground for stopping any army from advancing. Unfortunately, a besieging army is also hard to dislodge from the area as well, when as well-supplied and trained as Grant's corps were.

[@speedydb55]

Visited this Battlefield four or five years ago and agree it's one of the most impressive I've been to. The Cairo was open then as well. There's several battery emplacements to visit in the city itself plus several other battlefields just a short drive away. A must-see for any ACW buff.

[@davidnemoseck9007]

Thanks for sharing this guys! Won't mind going there myself someday.

[@sparkey6746]

I literally had to visit the park three separate time before I could finally see the Cairo, sorry you missed it but it well worth it when you can.

[@svenrio8521]

Great video, Vicksburg is so underrated in my opinion.

[@BillsWargameWorld]

Super awesome like always !

[@oldschoolfrp2326]

Thanks for taking us along; I had no idea that much land had been preserved around the perimeter

[@3tacoman]

Greg in da house !!!

[@SpaceExplorer]

thank you!

[@Eruidraith]

I love the battle park. I'm glad y'all got to see it, and sorry you couldn't see the Cairo. Unfortunately there's just not a lot of money here and not a lot of money for the park. They're working on a shoestring budget most of the time! And nobody wants to come to Mississippi. As for the trees--a lot of the cultivation that was present there is gone now. There's a lot of what we call Yazoo Clay here and unfortunately we'd probably have more of an erosion problem today than we did then.

[@LittleWarsTV]

The erosion on the battlefield was alarming. They clearly need funding!

[@kateterry2452]

Interestingly enough, this park falls under the purview of national parks. So not all hope is lost and there are a lot of people, from my understanding, that wish to keep it up! Let’s hope so. There has been erosion, but overall I think they’ve done a tremendous job with their resources (according to Richard)

[@porksterbob]

I like that you put the shout out to when the Texas memorial went up. There isn't enough recognition that most Confederate monuments didn't go up during or after the war, but instead went up decades later, usually corresponding to advances in civil rights.

[@LittleWarsTV]

It is rather…notable when many of these monuments were erected. Says a lot when you read between the lines.

[@Jacob-pu4zj]

When exactly has there been an instance of a monument to a battle erected during the same war? Seems like a misappropriation of limited iron and manpower to me.