152nd Event, Battle of Champion Hill

152nd Anniversary Event to

Emulate 1890 Reunion

In 1890, six-thousand veterans, Blue and Gray, assembled on the battleground at Champion Hill to commemorate the 27th Anniversary of the battle of Champion Hill. This year, on May 16, the Champion Heritage Foundation plans to emulate the 1890 event, complete with a barbecue lunch and a distinguished speaker. In addition, there will be other activities to delight the crowd: music, varied exhibits, strolls to the Hill of Death, vendors, book signings, a raffle for two quilts and a framed print and much-much more.

The massive gathering of 1890 was one of the first of its kind to bring Union and Confederate veterans together. Event organizers, Sid Champion II, Clay Sharkey and citizens of Bolton and Edwards, planned the impressive picnic that turned out one of the largest crowds ever in Mississippi history. The veterans enjoyed visiting, shaking hands and sharing stories of the war. The highlight of the 1890 gathering was a speech given by Stephen D. Lee, former Confederate general who played a significant role in the battle. This year, the event speaker will be Bertram Hayes-Davis, the great-great grandson of Jefferson and Varina Davis.

The Battle of Champion Hill was fought midway between Edwards and Bolton on May 16, 1863, when Grant’s force of 30,000 met Pemberton's force of 22,000. The hard-fought battle ended when the Confederates were shattered and forced to retire from the field and race for Vicksburg.

The 152nd commemoration will be held on the same grounds as in 1890. The Champion Heritage Foundation will provide tours to other portions of the battlefield. Champion Hill MB Church members will prepare barbecue plate lunches, $10 a plate—to be enjoyed while listening to Angel Bandit's Bluegrass Strings and the Lewis Family Gospel Singers.

Admission free/Donations accepted