Hi Tony,
My buddy and I have adopted MS as our southern state. I have many ancestors that fought in the civil war, 10th, 18th, 22nd, 42nd, 80th, 111th, ILm regiments but most of my direct ancestors were in the 30th Illinois. I've a few southern connections also, 1st TX Cav and 28th AL Inf.
The 30th IL is my passion and they were on the Federal's right flank and shored up the line when the 34th IN retreated. I've much material from first person sources. Ya know, living in Illinois, if you appreciate the civil war, you cherish any connections with it. I sometimes think one takes for granted the area one lives. I used to live 2 miles from Arlington Park Race Track and race-horse folk could not believe that I hadn't ever been there. I would love to live in the south, beit, MS TN, KY, etc. This will be my third trip this far south into MS. My buddy and I have been to Shiloh and Corinth a numer of times and I haven't been to the Vicksburg area in ten yrs or so.
Grabaus's book is very good. I've a "sloppy copy" in which I make my notes and I've a signed copy that is on my bookshelf for my personal reading.
I have beeen to Champion Hill twice. Once was in the mid 1990's and there was cur dogs everywhere. The next time was with a good friend who (as a southerner, our accent kinda gives ua away, ha!) led us around to the high points of the battlefield.
All in all...I cannot wait to visit MS. It has been a long time since I've been that far south and please do not mis understand my meaning of my last comment. Heck, I am just relishing the fact I will l be at Champion Hill at the 148th anniversary! I might just sit down and get my pants "dirty" with C.H soil, ha!
My buddy Phil and I have been hoping to do and then planning this for months. We've few oppurtunities to get to actual battlfields and this on is golden, ha1
Anyways, Hail the Magnolia State!