VICKSBURG — In 1863, as the Civil War raged, Vicksburg became the focus of the Union attack. Since 1899 the site of that important battle has been the Vicksburg National Military Park.

The park is spread across 1,800 acres and includes over 1,300 monuments, memorials and markers, including the U.S.S. Cairo. The Cairo was one of seven city class ironsides built by the north during the Civil War, and is the only one left, said Rick Martin, of the national park.

“It’s the only one the whole world today.”

The Cairo was sunk by a mine and sat at the bottom of the Yazoo River until 1964. There is an additional museum that goes along with the ship.

Many of the same features that marked the battlefield in 1863 can still be seen today while driving along the park’s 16-mile road tour.

“There’s original fortifications, original trenches and there are pretty well preserved siege lines,” Martin said. Many of these were marked by veterans of the battle.

Despite the original defenses, the hundreds of markers makes the field look very different than it did during the war.

“To me (the monuments) are still talking to the visitors,” Martin said.

Each state that participated in the war, both northern and Southern has a monument on the battlefield.

“They were not put here to glorify they placed here for reconciliation,” he said.

The park also features one of the largest Civil War graveyards, with 18,000 soldiers buried, 13,000 of them unknown.

“It’s similar to the Natchez cemetery,” Martin said. “They were established at about the same time.”

Visiting the battlefield is a fun and educational opportunity, Martin said.

“It’s an opportunity to look at your heritage. I think there’s something here for everyone. For the kids they can get outside and look at the monuments.”

Every day Friday through Tuesdays, until Aug. 2, the Battlefield will host a living history program. The park is open every day, and admission is $8 per vehicle.