Hundreds of fourth-graders learned the principles of firing a cannon and walked in the footsteps of Civil War soldiers this week as they toured Vicksburg National Military Park. 

The tour and interpretative program was sponsored by Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign and offers a “soldier-for-a-day” experience, Bess Averett, director of the friend’s group said.

“We’re trying to get local kids out to see their backyard and the history that happened here,” she said.

The program aims to bring every fourth-grade student in Warren County into the park as part of an effort to build a sustaining generation of National Park users. This year’s tours, though, were cut a bit short.

“This year we don’t have as many classes coming because of a lot of weather makeup days,” Averett said.

After a cannon-firing program Friday by ranger Jake Koch, Vicksburg Intermediate School students said they were amazed at how difficult the large Civil War gun was to fire. Just learning where to stand when the gun is ready takes a lot of work, said fourth-grader Kevin Moore.

“I think being the leader would be the hardest,” he said.

For Civil War era soldiers, learning the principals of firing the weapon took weeks or months of constant training, Koch told the students.

“What you would be doing if you were lucky is you’d get up at 6 in the morning and drill for two hours. Then you’d eat breakfast and drill for two hours. Then you’d eat lunch and drill for two more hours,” Koch said.

Students also seemed in awe that soldiers during the 1863 Siege of Vicksburg carried with them all their daily supplies including a bedroll at almost all times.

“Civil War soldiers are fighting in the army, but they’re camping too,” Koch said.