During the American Civil War, 36,325 Illinoisans served in the Union Army under general Ulysses S. Grant in the Vicksburg campaign.

[3][note 2] The campaign culminated in the siege of Vicksburg, which ended in a Union victory on July 4, 1863, and ultimately led to U.S. control of the Mississippi River.

[2] In 1904, the government of Illinois appropriated over $190,000 (20% of their budget for that year) for the erection of a monument on the battlefield, now known as the Vicksburg National Military Park.

A band performed several musical numbers, including "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground", "Dixie", "America", and "The Star-Spangled Banner".

[3] Illinois Governor Charles S. Deneen transferred ownership of the memorial to the U.S. government, and it was accepted by J. S. Schofield of the U.S. Department of War.

[1] Sixty bronze tablets line the interior of the memorial and bear the names of all 36,325 Illinois soldiers who participated in the campaign.