North Union Avenue and Grant Circle are closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic for repairs. Entering these construction areas is prohibited. This work is to repair severe weather damage in 2020. The remainder of the park and tour road are open. More
Due to weather related incidents, Vicksburg National Cemetery is closed to vehicular traffic, however it is open to pedestrians. Visitor can park in the adjacent USS Cairo parking lot and walk into the cemetery.
Champion Hill Historical Marker (The Champion House site is not accessible to the public.)
NPS Photo
Union troops marching from Bolton reached the Champion House about 9:45 a.m. Quickly deploying from column into line of battle, the Federals advanced toward Champion Hill, approximately a half-mile to the southwest. As they moved across the fields and through the woods — with flags flying and bayonets glistening in the sunlight — they presented the pageantry of war. With General Grant watching the advance, the fields and woods between the Champion House and the Crossroads became the scene of the day's most severe and bloodiest fighting. By nightfall, the debris of battle was strewn across the fields, and the gruesome task of caring for the dead and wounded began. The Champion House was converted to a hospital, where amputations were performed with gruesome efficiency.
