A pivotal moment in US History 161 years ago in Mississippi will be commemorated with special programs and reenactments.

Beginning Friday, July 5, and running through Sunday, July 7, the Vicksburg National Military Park, in collaboration with the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign, will commemorate the 161st anniversary of the surrender of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863.

“These free, engaging programs include Civil War rifled musket demonstrations, an immersive first-person discussion by (actors as) Generals Grant and Pemberton, and exploring the life of a soldier with Douglas the Camel,” park officials announced. “All programming will be weather dependent.”

The commemorative event is co-sponsored by the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park & Campaign. The schedule of activities includes:

Rifled Musket Demonstrations Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the life of a Civil War soldier as park staff demonstrate the firing of the rifled musket. This hands-on experience offers a glimpse into the military tactics and weaponry of the era.

The Last 24 Hours: Grant and Pemberton Tell All Actors Curt Fields and Morgan Gates will portray Ulysses S. Grant and John C. Pemberton, respectively, in an immersive discussion. The generals will recount their experiences during the Vicksburg Campaign, providing a unique first-person perspective on the events leading up to the city’s surrender.

Life of a Soldier with Douglas the Camel Doug Baum and his Texas Camel Corps will return to the park, sharing stories about the life of a soldier and Douglas, the mascot of the 43rd Mississippi Infantry. This segment offers an engaging look at the less conventional aspects of military life during the Civil War.