Vicksburg National Military Park | NAVY CIRCLE

Cannon and Union tablet at the Navy Circle battery in Vicksburg

Cannon and Union tablet at the Navy Circle battery in Vicksburg


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Navy Circle at Vicksburg National Military Park is the site of the Union’s southernmost battery, Battery Benton. It is located just down the street from South Fort, the Confederate’s southernmost fort. While South Fort kept Union troops from entering Vicksburg via Warrenton Road (now Washington Street), Battery Benton keep the Confederates from escaping Vicksburg via Warrenton Road. During the war, the Navy Circle battery held two 42-pounder cannons (pounder refers to the weight of the cannon ball that could be fired). Battery Benton and South Fort spent the battle firing upon each other.

Information panels, a cannon exhibit, and a Union tablet are on display.  Navy Circle gets a lot of visitors because it is right next to the Mississippi Welcome Center, and a walkway connects the fort and Welcome Center together. The Welcome Center caters to newly arrived visitors from Louisiana, which is just across the Mississippi River.

View of the Mississippi River from Navy Circle in Vicksburg

View of the Mississippi River from Navy Circle in Vicksburg

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Last updated on January 19, 2022
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