Vicksburg National Military Park | RANSOM’S GUN PATH

Memorial to Thomas Ransom at Vicksburg National Military Park

Memorial to Thomas Ransom at Vicksburg National Military Park

VICKSBURG BATTLEFIELD TOUR STOP 4: RANSOM’S GUN PATH

Of all the stops on Vicksburg National Military Park’s battlefield tour road, Ransom’s Gun Path is the least engaging. The story is great, but there is nothing to see and nothing to help you envision what went on. At many sections of the battlefield, trees have grown up and blocked the views the Civil War soldiers would have had. This seems to be the case here. On top of that, there isn’t even an information panel to explain the events, so you’ll need the help of the Cell Phone or CD Tours to hear the details.

On June 15th, Union soldiers under General Thomas Ransom began digging trenches towards Confederate rifle pits about 200 yards away. The general strategy for keeping your trench diggers, called sappers, from getting shot is to provide cover fire with artillery. Ransom directed Captain John Powell of the 2nd Illinois Light Artillery to get a cannon within 100 yards of the Confederates. To do so, he and his men disassembled two cannons, dragged them by hand to their destination, then reassembled them. From then on the guns keep the Confederates from doing much in the way of shooting at the Union sappers. However, despite successfully digging the trenches, no attack was ever carried out.

Powell would go on to fame as an explorer who navigated the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Lake Powell on the Arizona / Utah border is named for him. Powell did this with only one arm, having lost it during the Battle of Shiloh. In fact, he didn’t have his arm at Vicksburg.

All you will find of interest at Tour Stop 4 are a few memorials, including one for Ransom and one for Powell and the 2nd Illinois Light Artillery.

Monument to the 2nd Illinois Light Artillery and John Powell

Monument to the 2nd Illinois Light Artillery and John Powell

Right around the corner from the Tour Stop 4 parking area is the massive Wisconsin Memorial. There is parking directly at the monument as well, but if you have already gotten out of your car to see Ransom’s Gun Path, just walk up the street and around the corner to get a photo of the monument. The monument is large enough that you can walk up onto it.

Wisconsin State Memorial at Vicksburg National Military Park

Wisconsin State Memorial at Vicksburg National Military Park


Next Stop | Previous Stop | Main Battlefield Tour Page


Back to the Top


With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.

Last updated on January 18, 2022
Share this article