
On April 13, Vicksburg, Mississippi experienced two different severe weather events, one storm with three tornadoes tearing through the town. Two of those tornadoes passed through the Vicksburg National Military Park leaving multiple trees and limbs down throughout the park. Despite the widespread affected area, the only monument with significant damage was the Rhode Island Memorial.
The Rhode Island State Memorial, sculpted in bronze by Frank Edwin Elwell, was dedicated on November 11, 1908. The statue depicts the figure of an infantryman who has picked up the fallen colors. The Rhode Island Color Bearer is a favorite of many visitors.
The monument memorializes the 7th Rhode Island Infantry. The unit was attached to Col. Simon G. Griffin's 1st Brigade of Brig. Gen. Robert B. Potter's 2nd Division, Major General John G. Parke's IX Army Corps. Positioned on Major Gen. William T. Sherman's exterior line, the unit was commanded by Col. Zenas R. Bliss. Arriving at Snyder's Bluff on June 3, 1863, they took position from Skillikalia Bayou to Templeton's and fortified that line. On June 29, 1863, by order of Major Gen. William T. Sherman, they moved east and took position from Haynes' Bluff to the railroad crossing of the Big Black River. They fortified this position and remained at that location until the surrender of Vicksburg.
The bronze sculpture was completely separated from the base in the storm, and suffered further damage as it struck the ground. The cost for repairing the monument is $20,000. The work entails repair to the masonry base and sculpture, including cleaning, repairing, and remounting the sculpture to the base. A donor has committed a generous $1 for $1 match to help the Friends raise the vital funds needed to quickly repair this important memorial.
Please act now to save this monument and aid VNMP in the extensive storm recovery efforts. The match doubles every dollar you donate toward this effort until we reach our goal. As the official non-profit partner of VNMP, all donations are tax-deductible.