Illinois Memorial at Vicksburg National Military Park

If you look up over the door before entering, you'll see a statement made by Ulysses S. Grant. It reads:

"We have but little to do to preserve peace, happiness and prosperity at home, and the respect of other nations. Our experience ought to teach us the necessity of the first; our power secures the latter."

The National Park Service lists the Memorial at Union Avenue milepost 1.8, tour stop #2.  Built February 21, 1899 and dedicated on October 26, 1906, it was transferred to the United States and accepted by the United States War Department. The Culver Construction Company erected the Memorial, using granite from Stone Mountain, Georgia to form the base and stairway. Also included is Georgia white marble, and 47 steps that represent each day of the Siege of Vicksburg. The Illinois Memorial was modeled after the Pantheon in Rome, and has 60 unique bronze tablets lining the interior walls. These tablets name all 36,325 Illinois soldiers who participated in the Vicksburg Campaign. The state of Illinois paid the original cost of the monument, which was $194,432.92. (National Park Service Website)

The victory in Vicksburg helped to give the Union control of the Mississippi River. It is widely believed that if the South had maintained control, they would have won the war.