Vicksburg National Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Your expedition through Vicksburg National Military Park commences outside the Visitor Center near the northern entrance. As you delve deeper into the park, the weight of the American Civil War surrounds you. You’ll pass monuments like the Minnesota and Iowa Monuments, each telling tales of the soldiers hailing from these states. Along the way, you’ll hear about the leadup to this titanic struggle, as General Ulysses S. Grant marched inevitably toward Vicksburg.

You’ll hear accounts of the Battles of Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post, then stop at the historic Shirley House, the only wartime structure remaining in the park. Next, relive the fiery bombardment of the Grand Gulf and learn about the crucial role of Black soldiers in the Civil War. Then continue on to the awe-inspiring Ulysses S. Grant Memorial.

From there, you’ll head to the Vicksburg National Cemetery, which serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. Rows upon rows of tombstones represent Union soldiers who gave their all. The cemetery's tranquility contrasts sharply with the ongoing narrative of Grant’s campaign, as you revisit the battles of Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, and the Big Black River Bridge.

The final segments of your journey dive into the climax of the siege, the surrender, and the eventual aftermath and significance of this battle. Your expedition concludes just down the street from the Visitor Center where it began.