The Kentucky Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans Executive Council formally voted on Saturday, October 8th, to accept the final approval by the National Parks Service for the design and erection of a monument to Kentucky’s Confederate troops who took part in the Siege of Vicksburg. The monument will be prominently located in the Vicksburg National Military Park.

“We’re about half-way home on fundraising,” said Kentucky Division Commander Tom Hiter, referring to the approximately $52,000.00 cost of the project.

A groundbreaking date has not been set yet, but is expected to be in 2006. A monument to soldiers from Kentucky who fought on both sides at Vicksburg exists already, but this memorial will be “purely Confederate” according to KY Division spokesman Don Shelton. “The approval process has been extraordinarily long – the initial efforts actually pre-date the start of the other Kentucky monument,” said Shelton, “but making sure the story is told of Kentucky’s ‘Orphan Brigade’ makes it worth the trouble.”

The Kentucky Division Executive Council encouraged a new round of fundraising by Kentucky camps to finish the financing as soon as possible.

The monument will include a black granite wall containing detailed text about Kentucky’s Confederate units at Vicksburg and their actions, with a bronze Confederate Battle Flag draped over the corner.

For further information contact:

Dr. Tom Hiter
Commander
KY Division SCV
tyhiter@wk.net