Established in 1866 to reinter the remains of nearly 17,000 Union
soldiers who had been given temporary burial in scattered locations
during the war. The identity of almost 13,000 of the soldiers is
unknown. The national cemetery also contains the remains of veterans of
the Mexican and Spanish-American Wars, World Wars I and II, and Korea.
From the lower cemetery drive, you may leave the park and emerge 2 miles
north of downtown Vicksburg on U. S. 61. If time permits, we recommend
your completing the tour of the park by following the "Park Tour" arrows
from the cemetery, south on Union Avenue, in order that you may view the
Union lines and monuments and the southern portion of the park.