Illinois Memorial: A Tribute to Valor at Vicksburg

The Illinois Memorial, also known as the Illinois State Memorial, is a significant monument within the Vicksburg National Military Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Dedicated in 1906, it honors the Union Army soldiers from Illinois who fought in the siege of Vicksburg during the American Civil War. The Vicksburg Campaign was a crucial turning point in the war, culminating in a Union victory on July 4, 1863, and granting the U.S. control of the Mississippi River. In 1904, the state of Illinois allocated over $190,000 for the construction of a memorial on the battlefield, now part of the Vicksburg National Military Park. Designed by architect William Le Baron Jenney and sculptor Charles Mulligan, the memorial is modeled after the Roman Pantheon. Construction began in mid-1906 and was completed by October of the same year. The memorial was dedicated on October 26, 1906, in a ceremony attended by thousands, including many Illinois Civil War veterans. The memorial is constructed of Georgia white marble on a granite base. It stands 62 feet (19 meters) tall and features 47 granite steps, one for each day of the Siege of Vicksburg. The building has a circular design with a rectangular portico supported by six Ionic columns, topped with a bronze bald eagle sculpted by Frederick C. Hibbard. Inside, 60 bronze tablets list the names of all 36,325 Illinois soldiers who participated in the Vicksburg Campaign. Like the Roman Pantheon, the memorial has an oculus at the top of the dome. The Illinois Memorial is located on Union Avenue at milepost 1.8, tour stop #2 within the park. Visitors can explore the memorial's interior, view the bronze plaques, and appreciate the architectural design. The surrounding park offers walking paths, historical markers, and exhibits detailing the history of the siege.