At 9:00am, a wreath laying, rifle salute and playing of “Echo Taps” will be held to honor the over 17,000 Union dead buried in Vicksburg National Cemetery. At 11:00am the same ceremony will be repeated at Soldiers’ Rest, in the Cedar Hill city cemetery, to honor the over 5,000 Confederate dead interred there. The public is cordially invited to both, and encouraged to bring a spray of flowers to place with the wreaths, if they so desire.

 Admission is free for all events; please use the Fort Hill Gate to access Vicksburg National Cemetery. Call the park at 601.636.0583 with any questions.

 At 1:00pm, the Olde Towne Brass will give a concert of Civil War band music, played with period arrangements, and on actual period instruments on the lawn of the Old Court House. The concert should last approximately one and a half hours, and will take place in the upstairs courtroom in the event of rain.

 The American Civil War cost over 800,000 lives, and changed the very foundation of our country and government. As we hold this final Sesquicentennial observance and memorial, let us pause and give thought about what and for whom these brave soldiers and sailors fought.

 -www.nps.gov/vick-