Military strategists and commanders of Confederate and Union forces used the high bluffs, steep rugged ravines, and unique properties of Loess soil to the best advantage. The park landscape is a testimonial to the wide variety of historic military operations. It features nine historic earthen forts, numerous gun emplacements, over twenty miles of reconstructed trenches, approaches, and parallels, the last remaining section of Grant's Canal , and the Vicksburg National Cemetery with over 18,000 interments, giving it the distinction of having the largest number of Civil War burials of any cemetery in the United States. By the 1930's, erosion was threatening the very fabric of the park. The lack of adequate vegetative cover left the Loess soil exposed and vulnerable to runoff from heavy rains.
Loess soil is a fine-grained, wind blown sediment.
It is an extremely fertile loam soil which is highly susceptible to erosion when exposed to flowing water. It literally melts like butter and is easily washed away. Over the years the trees have grown into a dense forest which is present today. Maintenance and resource protection efforts are focused on restoring and maintaining the historic scene.