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The day’s activities will start at 1:30 p.m. at the Tupelo National Battlefield on West Main Street.
The Harrisburg Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans will dedicate memorials to honor 2nd Lt. William Newton Cox and Pvt. J.J. Stone, Confederate soldiers who died during the Battle of Tupelo/Harrisburg, July 14-15, 1864.
“We will fire a salute and have speeches,” said Kevin Thornton, communications officer with the Harrisburg Camp. “Then we’ll have the dedication for these men, who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
Call (662) 322-1278 for information.
Camps will open to the public at 4 p.m. at the Old Town Creek Battlefield Site on Mount Vernon Road. That battle was a continuation of the Battle of Tupelo/Harrisburg, as Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest led his men against federal forces that were going to Memphis.
“We’ll have historians to educate the public about the battle,” said Edwina Carpenter, director of Mississippi’s Final Stands Interpretive Center.
After a 5 p.m. program, re-enactors will perform skirmishes. In addition, there will be living history displays involving music, food and camp life. Free watermelon will be distributed at 6 p.m.
The event is sponsored by the National Park Service and Mississippi’s Final Stands Interpretive Center. Call (662) 365-3969.
Also on Saturday, Harry Vinson, a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, will host a free birthday party for Forrest, who was born July 13, 1821.
There will be food, fireworks and music by Lost Cause and Thornton & Vinnie C. at 409 Lee County Road 183 near Sherman. After passing Love’s on Highway 178, turn right and go 1.5 miles and it’s on the left. Call (662) 538-5634.
scott.morris@journalinc.com