The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-20
VICKSBURG GREAT . MILITARY PARK
IT INCLUDES THE SCENES MADE
 MEMORABLE IN THE SIEGE.
Fine System of Roads Connects All Places of fnterest-Part Which
 Louisiana Took in the - Sanguinary Struggle.

While on a visit to VickSburg recently l was fortunate enough to be given drive through the National Park by Captain Rigby, the members of the Commission in charge of the work there. Captain Rigby is very enthusiastic regarding the future of the park, and showed deep in- terest in the location of all the features of | the great siege He Is thoroughly familiar with even the smallest details of the siege. and pointed out nearly every posi-
 tion in the area in which the two armies acted.
 The system of roads which has been constructed. and which Is still being tm- proved is so vast and well planned that | 1t is possible to drive to almost every point of interest. Where the road does not actually pass the rugged character of the land throws the point into such strong relif that 1t may be readily comprehended at distance.
 The drive through the National Gem etery is an interesting prelude to the trip through the park. The cemetery Is beautifully. kept, and system of turing covers the perpendicular sides of the hills, and the grass Is kept clipped like lawn, which adds greatly to the effect. On such a perpendicular mound near the entrance is the marble monument which
 was originally placed in the battle field
 
 General Pemberton met to arrange the terms of the surrender. The monument was so badly mutilated by vandals that if was found best to place 1t at the pres ent position, and the visitor may, after passing by many interesting places, final ly see, through narrow road cut m the earthen cliff, the bronze gun that IS plac- ed upright where the memorable meet ing occurred. The road down whicn kn Unaaf General Grant is there.
 The system of turing the steep sides of the cliffs of clay has been put in ef- feet throughout the park wherever the roads cut through them. The extremely dry weather this fall has killed much or the grass that was planted in the sides' but it will all be renewed, and eventually one may drive through walls of upright lawn, which will be quite novel.
 So far few of the positions in the park are marked, but various States are con sidering the matter, and 1t Is understoou that within a short period Ohio will place thirty-uine markers to designate the posi- tions where troops from that State fought or which they held during the siege. Pass ing from the cemetery. the drive follows the Union lines, and Captain Rigby point ed out the places where the various bat teries were located, mentioned the num- Der of guns and told what troops held the positions. He also talked interestingly of the various movements along the line The remains of the trenches and tunnels and forts are still to be seen, though they would not be caught by the eye of casual observer. and require explanation to be understood. When the Commission has completed it's work all these trenches forts and other positions will have been restored and marked with stones which will tell anyone who wishes to read just what troops were at that point and what guns they had. Better than this. the guns used, and the Commission will re- store them, mounted and arranged. so that the picture of the battle field will be complete
 The arrangement of the roads Is some thing remarkable. One follows the Union lines directly around through hills and hollows, the latter having been filled 50 that the. road is comparatively level. though as far as possible the old land marks have been left untouched.
 When everything Is restored 1t will De thrilling to look at the various centers of activity and connect in the mind the wonderful plans by which the siege and defense were carried on through forty seven terrible spring days, when the armies were continually dropping shells into the others lines and the sharpshoot- CTS were picking off men at every oppor- tuuity, and nobody knew at what Instant there would be an attack and attempt 70 carry the lines or where It might occur