Welcome To Friends Of Raymond
History comes alive at Champion Hill!
Join us on May 16, 2026 at 9:00 A.M. for a full day of interpretive programming at the historic Coker House and Crossroads area as we explore one of the pivotal battles of the Vicksburg Campaign. Throughout the day, visitors can experience battlefield talks, artillery demonstrations, living history camps, and presentations on the commanders and soldiers who fought at Champion Hill.
Programs will feature topics including:
• “How Did We Get to Champion Hill?”
• Confederate and Union commanders
• McAllister’s Battery demonstrations
• The 7th Missouri at Champion Hill
• The fate of General Tilghman
• Actions at the Crossroads
The Coker House, Civil War camps, and 24-pounder howitzer interpretation areas will also be open throughout the day.
Bring your lawn chairs, spend the day on the battlefield, and help us remember the soldiers and stories that shaped the outcome of the Vicksburg Campaign.
Champion Hill Battlefield / Coker House
Draft Interpretive Programing for Coker House and Cross Roads May 16, 2026
Coker House
0900 – 0920 – How did we get to Champion Hill?
0930 – 0950 – Actions at Champion Hill Coker House
1000 – 1030 – McAllister’s Battery Demonstration
1030 – 1050 – LT Pemberton Speaks
1100 – 1130 – Confederate Commanders – Loring, Bowen, Stevenson, Lee
1130-1200 – Sid Champion V, and Champion’: Hill
1200-1300 – Lunch
1215-1245 – Union Commanders – Grant, McLemand, McPherson, Hovey, Logan
1300-1330 – 7% Missouri at Champion Hill
1340-1400 – McAllister’s Battery Demonstration
1400-1420 – LTG Pemberton Speaks
1430-1500 – Sid Champion V, and Champion’s Hill
1500-1530 – McAllister’s Battery Demonstration Travel to Battery Position
1530 – 1600 – Champion Hill Outcomes /What happens to BG Tilghman?
Coker House Open – Informal Interpretation
Civil War Camps Open – Informal Interpretation
24 pdr Howitzer Open – Informal Interpretation
Crossroads Programs
10:50 – 11:30 – Actions at Crossroads
1200-1300 – Lunch
1315-1415 – Actions on Crossroads
1515-1545 – Actions on Crossroads
Bring Lawn Chairs
Raymond’s Interpretive Markers Revitalized
Parker Hills, Brig. Gen. (Ret.)
Friends of Raymond is proud to announce five new fiberglass panel interpretive markers were installed on the Walking Trail and Raymond battlefield.
While Raymond’s other thirty-five fiberglass interpretive markers received new panels to replace the weather-worn ones that were installed five years ago. This $16,000 project was funded by loyal Friends of Raymond members from the states of Texas, California, Virginia, and Pennsylvania—solid evidence of Raymond’s nationwide audience of history-loving supporters.
The markers in downtown Raymond, the Confederate Cemetery, and on the Raymond battlefield describe the history of the Battle of Raymond and the archaeological work conducted on the battlefield from 2011-2016. Additionally, there are eight nature markers on the Walking Trail describing the flora and fauna of the area.
In December of 2019, twenty-three of the forty fiberglass markers were installed in town, at the Confederate Cemetery, on the Walking Trail, and on the Raymond battlefield, with twelve more markers added in November of 2022……..
Additional Methods of Supporting
Friends of Raymond
Friends of Raymond is an all-volunteer organization founded in 1998 to preserve historic sites around the beautiful town of Raymond, Mississippi. We are governed by a nine-member Board of Directors elected by the FOR membership, and all work is done by volunteers – there is no paid staff or administrative costs that are not used to directly support the organization.
Our group has purchased, preserved, and provided historical interpretation for the original site of the Battle of Raymond, which was an important part of General Ulysses S. Grant’s 1862 Vicksburg campaign during the Civil War.
The mission of the FOR goes beyond battlefield preservation. As an organization, we are committed to working with the City of Raymond and other local entities to preserve our rich local history. Currently, the FOR is coordinating a community-wide effort to create a mural for downtown Raymond showcasing the rich history of the square and downtown area.
The Friends of Raymond are also committed to historical education and preservation.
We work closely with the City of Raymond to coordinate historic preservation efforts for this beautiful and historic area. All work depends completely on memberships, donations, and sponsors.
We invite you to join Friends of Raymond as we seek to preserve this important piece of Mississippi history for the education of visitors from around the world.
Visit our Donate page for more information about Friends of Raymond memberships, donations, stock donations, and sponsorships.
Raymond, Then and Now MuralMural Dedication
Over 100 people turned out for the dedication of the Raymond, Then and Now Mural in the heart of downtown Raymond.
There was food, fun, fellowship, the national anthem sung by Raymond native Allen Harris, and great music by Bill Ellison, Bonnie Brown and Jeff Perkins.
It was a joyous celebration of what makes living in Raymond so special! More Information Here
Our History
Click on the links below for more infomation:
- A list of all former and present board members can be found (Here)
- Our beginnings: Founders & the Formation of Friends of Raymond (History)
- FOR Timeline: Parker Hills talks about the acquisition of the battlefield properties, the acquisitions of the cannons, and the generosity of others. (History)
- Ribbon Cutting for the Raymond Battlefield (History)
- Our Historic Rail Fence (History)
- A Founder’s Monument: Ride With Generals (History)
- Transferring ownership of the Battlefields to the Vicksburg Military Park (History)
- Walking Trails and Other Maps – (Maps)
- “Twilight Tour” on the Raymond Battlefield (History)
- Parker Hills: The Guns of Raymond (History)
- Parker Hills: “Battlefield Detectives” Dig for Clues (History)
- Significance of Miles Tract (History)
A NEW CHAPTER
So what is next for Friends of Raymond:
Watch for a listing of Battlefield improvements, new signage for the walking trail, and additional historic makers! Details coming soon!!!
“Raymond, Then and Now” mural
on our historic town square
The mission of the FOR goes beyond battlefield preservation. As an organization, we are committed to working with the City of Raymond and other local entities to preserve our rich local history. Currently, the FOR is coordinating a community-wide effort to create a mural for downtown Raymond showcasing the rich history of the square and downtown area.
A dedication and other exciting activities are planned upon the completion of this beautiful addition to our town square.
Click Here to go to our Interactive Online Mural Page where photos can be shared, web links to photographic collections can be shared, create a way for the public to share memories, stories, and other photos.
WHAT’S NEXT
What next..
- Friends of Raymond intends to do a major project each year supporting and enhancing the history, liveability and spirit of the community.
- We welcome your input! Please submit your ideas for projects to friendsofraymond@outlook.com
- Membership information is on the website, and new members are welcomed!(Membership)
- Friends of Raymond will host quarterly gatherings at various history venues in the area so members old and new can connect and come up with creative ideas to enhance the community, and celebrate Raymond’s history.
- Educational programs, once a mainstay of Friends of Raymond, will be reinstated and publicized to promote attendance.