Had a great 3 day trip visiting the Vicksburg Campaign. Started at Jackson, MS Battlefield Park and visited Raymond; Champion Hill; Big Black River Bridge; 37th position at VBG Battlefield--placed flowers and a small 37th flag at their position (the lumanaries looked great); watched replacment of Confederate Flag with U.S. flag at VBG Courthouse; Cedar Hill Cemetary (large number of 37th graves--I assume these are all listed on "findagrave.com"--if you are missing one let me know and I'll check the list); Chickasaw Bayou; and finally Snyder's Bluff. Also located my wife Becky's 4thGrGrandfather's grave at Cedar Hill--he was killed 12 days before the end of the battle. Did not have time for sites south of VBG, viz: Grand Gulf; Port Gibson; Bruinsburg Crossing/Road and Rodney area. The latter sites will have to wait until later this summer. Met the park Superintendent, Mike Madell, at the Courthouse and thanked him for great job with the Sesquicentennial and cutting of trees made it easier to figure of the battlefield. However, I had two complaints which I will pass on to the MS Dept.of Archives and Hist., viz., the celltower north of the park which spoils the viewshed and the complete absence of public access to the huge Champion Hill Battle site. Will post a description of trip and photos on my web site. If you are interested in visiting SE 37th sites let me know--maybe we can meet up.
Noel Read Stowe