• Vicksburg National Military Park - Welcome to the Vicksburg Battlefield! President Abraham Lincoln considered this site crucial to winning the Civil War, and Confederate President Jefferson Davis agreed. Let’s explore why it was so significant, what transpired here, and its overall impact.

Note: This 15-mile tour highlights the key aspects of Vicksburg Battlefield in 2-3 hours.

Purchase once, enjoy for a year! Perfect for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

• Memorial Arch - Drive towards the Memorial Arch, constructed after a veterans’ reunion in 1917. Former soldiers from both sides of the war sat together peacefully at this historic 4-day event. It was a poignant moment they wished to commemorate, leading to the creation of this arch.

• Minnesota Memorial - Park near the pillar memorial on the left. This is the Minnesota Memorial. The statue at the base represents peace, holding a sword and shield laid down by both armies, safeguarding them to prevent future conflicts on this land.

• Michigan Memorial - The towering obelisk around the bend on the left is the Michigan Memorial. The statue at its base is “The Spirit of Michigan.” This memorial honors the Michigan men who fought here, with its location being particularly significant. Captain Samuel DeGolyer, one of their leaders, was mortally wounded nearby during the battle on May 28th. More details on that soon.

• Illinois Memorial - Designed by W. L. B. Jenney, a veteran who fought in the battle, this monument lists every Illinois soldier who fought here. Jenney aimed to create not just a memorial, but a temple to honor those brave souls, many of whom sacrificed their lives on this battlefield.

• Logan’s Approach - The trench beyond this parking lot is known as Logan’s Approach. Here, Union engineers employed an unusual tactic to advance on a Confederate position. Under General Grant’s orders, they dug a trench to the Confederate fort, placed a mine with 2,200 pounds of gunpowder, and lit the fuse!

• Wisconsin Memorial - Drive around the bend and stop across from the grand column atop a staircase. This is the Wisconsin Memorial. At the top is ‘Old Abe,’ the war eagle and official mascot for the 8th Wisconsin Infantry. Old Abe was a real bird, proudly carried onto the battlefield, tethered to a five-foot pole painted red, white, and blue. He was honorably discharged in 1864, a true war veteran who witnessed 42 battles!

• West Virginia Monument - The bust on the right is the West Virginia Monument, honoring Major Azra Goodspeed. Born in Ohio, Goodspeed served and was killed fighting for West Virginia. Many men from Ohio and Pennsylvania fought under the West Virginia flag due to recruitment overflow.

• African American Monument - Soon, a statue of three men will appear on the right. Pull over and park when you see it. This memorial honors the thousands of African-American soldiers who fought for the Union and their freedom. Despite segregation and unequal pay, they fought alongside their white comrades in battle.

• Major General Ulysses S. Grant Memorial - In a moment, a statue of a man on horseback with a determined expression will appear. Park in the lot when you see it. This statue depicts Major General Ulysses S. Grant.

• 106th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment Monument - Approaching is a monument honoring the 106th Volunteer Infantry Regiment from Illinois. It’s the small granite obelisk on the right. These men trained in Lincoln, Illinois, where Abraham Lincoln once worked as a lawyer!

• U.S. Navy Monument - The tallest monument in the park is the US Navy Monument, honoring the officers and sailors who fought in Vicksburg. While Grant’s army receives much credit for the siege, the Navy’s assistance was crucial. Gunboats transported Grant’s men down the Mississippi, sneaking past rebel defenses at night and carrying the army across the Mississippi at Bruinsburg.

• Vicksburg National Cemetery - This is the Vicksburg National Cemetery, the final resting place for 17,000 Union soldiers. Many were reburied here after initially being laid to rest near battle sites with simple wooden crosses as markers. After the war, the US government endeavored to locate these markers and provide proper burials.

• Fort Hill - Fort Hill offers a stunning view! It’s easy to see why Confederates were stationed here, with open landscapes and clear river views. The bend slowed warships, making it a perfect lookout. Fort Hill was so well fortified that no land battle occurred here.

• The Missouri State Memorial - On the left stands the Missouri Memorial, representing both sides of the Civil War. Missouri was a divided state, with 109,000 men joining the Union and 30,000 joining the Confederacy, turning neighbors against each other.

• Mississippi Monument - The stone obelisk on the right is the Mississippi monument. Like other memorials here, its base features a woman. These figures, modeled after Greek or Roman goddesses, symbolize peace and reconciliation.

• Alabama Monument - The bronze monument on the right commemorates Alabama troops. The men are led by a woman representing the state of Alabama.

• Fort Garrott - The hill on the left was the site of Fort Garrott, named after Colonel Isham W. Garrott, commander of an Alabama volunteer regiment. Fort Garrott was never bombarded like other forts, but Union snipers hid behind trees, targeting any movement. Garrott was killed by a sniper, unaware of his promotion to Brigadier General.

• Kentucky Monument - Park in the turnout ahead to view the Kentucky Monument. This iconic memorial depicts Abraham Lincoln and Confederate President Jefferson Davis, both born in Kentucky. The bluegrass state honors them both. Feel free to walk up the path for a closer look and click Learn More for additional information.

• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
• Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
• Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
• Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
• Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
• Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
• Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!

• Admission ticket

Experience history firsthand with this self-guided driving tour of the Vicksburg Battlefield, where Union and Confederate forces clashed over control of the Mississippi River. Discover the battlefield and its poignant memorials while learning about General Grant’s advance on Vicksburg, the Confederate defense, and the intense Siege of Vicksburg. Relive stories of courage, strategy, and determination with vivid, detailed accounts of the conflict and its transformative impact on the nation.

Purchase one tour per vehicle, not per individual. Everyone can listen together!

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require a reliable internet/Wi-Fi connection. From there, follow the audio instructions and the designated route.

Buy once, enjoy for a year! Perfect for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

Please note, this is not an entrance ticket. Verify opening hours before your visit.

• How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and text with instructions: • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password • Download the tour MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular Works offline after download
• How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
• Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
• Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
• Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.