Governor Terry Branstad is visiting Vicksburg National Military Park this weekend as the Iowa State Memorial is re-dedicated. A number of Iowa soldiers fought at Vicksburg, including the 22nd Iowa Regiment. According to historian Jeffry Burden, the 22nd Iowa was led into battle at Vicksburg by Colonel William Milo Stone of Knoxville. Stone was wounded during the battle, and was eventually elected Governor while recuperating.
Stone is also known for being a friend of President Abraham Lincoln, and one of the founders of the Iowa Republican Party. Stone also helped convince Lincoln to run for the presidency, helped him win the nomination, was likely with him when Lincoln was shot, and served as a pallbearer at Lincoln’s funeral. Stone is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville. The re-dedication takes place on Saturday at 10am in Vicksburg.
The Army of the Southwest Civil War Renactors will be in Knoxville on Saturday. They’ll be performing throughout the day at Civil War Days at the Marion County Historical Village. That runs from 7am-4pm Saturday, with a special Civil War era church service Sunday morning that’s expected to last 40 minutes.