Flooding Could Reach Conn. Monument in Vicksburg

Concerned whether the flooding in Mississippi would harm the Connecticut monument at Vicksburg National Military Park (VNMP), Cheshire historian Robert Larkin contacted acquaintances he met in 2008 when the monument was dedicated.

VNMP historian Terry Winschel responded by email:

"... I asked one of our law enforcement Rangers about the situation at Grant's Canal (where the monument is located). She said, so far the tract is dry and the levee at that point is holding firm. The river is expected to rise at least five more feet, which is a lot of water, and so the levees will certainly be tested."

"The park has  been impacted only minimally thus far and all on our staff are safe and sound."

Pamela Hitchins, a news reporter at The Vicksburg Post also responded by email:

"At this point, the CT monument appears safe. It's on the land side of the Louisiana levee and of course expectations are that the levee will hold. Of course, that remains to be seen. The VNMP superintendent told me if there is seepage, the site may require some cleanup but it would take a lot of water to move that granite monument. 

"I don't know, though, if the levees didn't hold and the area was flooded, if the etchings would be damaged. I may try to put a call in to Stacy Mathieu. (Mathieu, from Southington, etched the profiles and battle scenes on the monument).

"Thanks for writing and keep praying for Vicksburg. This is historic." 

Editor's note: The monument honors the 9th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, known as the Irish Regiment. Click here for more information about the monument.