Vicksburg National Military Park | LOUISIANA CIRCLE

Louisiana Circle artillery guards the Mississippi River

Louisiana Circle artillery guards the Mississippi River


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The first detached park unit at Vicksburg National Military Park that you will come to when traveling from downtown Vicksburg is Louisiana Circle. This Confederate fort overlooks the Mississippi River and guarded against Union naval approaches from the south. It was the Confederate’s southernmost fort guarding the river.

When pulling into Louisiana Circle you will come to a parking area with an information panel. As I did, you will be thinking that there isn’t much to see. Well, the exhibits are around the corner. Stairs lead up to the top of the earthen fort. Here you will find a cannon called the “Widow Blakely,” named so because it was the only Blakely cannon at Vicksburg. It was not, however, at Louisiana Circle during the fighting. Instead, a 10-inch Columbiad gun was in place where the Blakely is today. A number of memorials dedicated to individuals and to the Louisiana infantry units that occupied the fort are also on the property.

Widow Blakely cannon and memorial to Colonel Edward Higgins at Louisiana Circle in Vicksburg

Widow Blakely cannon and memorial to Colonel Edward Higgins at Louisiana Circle in Vicksburg

Stairs lead to the top of the earthen fort at Louisiana Circle in Vicksburg

Stairs lead to the top of the earthen fort at Louisiana Circle in Vicksburg

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Last updated on January 19, 2022
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