[1krispy1, 13.05.2007] The events for the Vicksburg campaign "was one of the major decisive battles" in the war between the states. This preservation of history "commemorates and memorializes" what happened here in 1863. There are looping tours traversing both lines. One in fact goes "amid the trenches and emplacements". The two sides are "graphically shown with blue and red signs along the way". Moving along on the roads one sees "monuments throughout the park".
Recovered from the mud of the Yazoo River where she was sunk the USS Cairo is "also in the park" a reminder of the naval participation in the siege of Vicksburg. The "armaments and gear" of the crew were found almost in tact. Protected by "silt and sand of the river" until recovered in the 1960s. The ship contained "a vast treasure of wartime artifacts". The tour "is a somber reminder" of the ravages of war. The author notes the entrance fee is "an inexpensive history lesson".