Isaac Roberts Cemetery, Battle of Champion Hill

150th Anniversary Commemorating

The Battle of Champion Hill

May 18, 2013

A Day on the Champion Hill Battlefield

Bertram Hayes-Davis, guest speaker
great-great grandson of Jefferson Davis
Champion Hill Medallion Presentation
to descendants of soldiers who fought
Stroll to the “Hill of Death”
Reenactment
Champion Hill M. B. Church Choir
Historic Marker Dedication,
“Fight for the Crossroads”
Dinner on the Battlefield
Afternoon tour includes -
- Champion Cemetery
- General Hovey’s Battery Site
- Midway Station
Battlefield tours by Sid Champion V

The sesquicentennial of the Battle of Champion Hill, the pivotal battle of the Vicksburg Campaign, will be commemorated during an all-day event on May 18, 2013. The event will be held on the grounds of the original Champion House which was the site of General U. S. Grant’s headquarters as well as a Union hospital. Today the historic property is the home of Champion Hill Baptist Church.

The gates to the battlefield area will open at 8:00 a.m. The main ceremony will begin on the church grounds at 10:00 a.m. Morning events will include: Bertram Hayes-Davis, great-great grandson of Jefferson Davis, event speaker; book signings by local Civil War authors; presentation of medallions to those whose ancestors fought in the battle; and Lunch on the Lawn - $10.00 provided by the Champion Hill Baptist Church.

Afternoon events will include: a stroll to the “Hill of Death” followed by a reenactment and the unveiling of a historic marker; a tour of the area where General Hovey placed his battery; Midway Station RR site; a visit to the Champion Family Cemetery; and a reception on the lawn of Matilda Champion’s post-war house honoring descendants of those who fought.

The event is sponsored by the Champion Heritage Foundation.

Admission is free.

Directions to the Champion Hill Event and other Announcements:

Champion Hill battlefield is located midway between Bolton and Edwards, Mississippi. Take I-20 from Jackson or Vicksburg then take exit 29 at Bolton. After exiting, turn left back over the Interstate and drive south to the heart of Bolton. After you pass over the railroad track, you will see Asbury Methodist Church on the corner of Champion Hill Road. Turn right and drive for about 3-4 miles and you will see the entrance to the church on your left.

Parking will be available and golf carts will assist in transporting passengers, especially those with walking disabilities.

A Cline Tour bus will be on site to transport you to other portions of the battlefield so please leave your car parked until the event is over at 5:00 p.m. During the afternoon events, cars will not be allowed to enter the northern section of the battlefield since it is a one-lane road leading to historic sites. Please take tour bus or golf cart.

May 18th could be a very hot day so plan accordingly. Wear sun hats – sunscreen – and bring a can of “Off” to spray with before entering the woods – especially around the Hill of Death. Water and cold drinks will be sold at the event. Bring your camera!

Call 601-953-4755 for information.