U.S. Navy Monument: A Tribute to Naval Valor at Vicksburg

The U.S. Navy Monument stands as the tallest monument within Vicksburg National Military Park, a soaring tribute to the U.S. Navy's crucial role in the Vicksburg Campaign. Standing at 202 feet, the monument serves as a lasting reminder of the naval forces' contribution to the Union victory. The monument features sculptures of four distinguished naval officers at its base: Admirals Farragut and Porter, and Flag Officers Davis and Foote. These men led the Union Navy in its efforts to control the Mississippi River, a vital component of the Union strategy to divide the Confederacy. The monument's construction was completed in 1911, but its dedication was delayed until 1917, during the National Peace Jubilee. The Vicksburg National Military Park, where the monument is located, commemorates the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg, a pivotal turning point in the Civil War. Confederate President Jefferson Davis recognized Vicksburg as the “nailhead that holds the South's two halves together,” highlighting the city's strategic importance. The Union victory at Vicksburg, coupled with the fall of Port Hudson, Louisiana, gave the North undisputed control of the Mississippi River and divided the South.