WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Vandals Hit Military Park

Vandals Hit Military Park

By David Kenney
david@wlbt.net

  Federal officials are looking of those responsible for a recent vandalism at the Vicksburg National Military Park. Investigators believe it was done by scavengers, hunting for civil war artifacts, which can be worth a lot of money to collectors.

It's the site of one of the most imporatant battles in the civil war, but now, it's a crime scene. This week at the park, forensic experts, combing through hundreds of holes left by scavengers who looking for civil war souveniers.

Park ranger Patti Montague says, "we know that a metal detector was utilized there has been theft to the area." Park officials believe there might have been two people were involved. Most of the damage was done to this fortification in the hillside next to the Texas monutment, where years of history were unearthed. Investigators are marking the holes with the use of g-p-s, looking for any clues left behind by the vandals, hoping to identify them.

Montague says, "This belongs to the american people, not to individuals that want to take the artifacts for their personal gain."

If there are any clue found, there is a good chance they'll be found. Last year there were four similar incidents here, three of those involved were caught, and fully prosecuted.   The fine, thousands of dollars, up to five years in jail, and restitution to the park.  The money used to repair the damage, will have to come out of the military park budget, which is tight. The crime, a personal attack against park workers, paid to preserve history.

Park historian Terrence Winschel says, "It's extremely frustrating when somebody comes in here under the cover of darkness and digs up relics ."

Investigators are asking for the public's help in gathering clues to find the vandals. Anyone with information on who commited this crime is asked to call the park, at 601-636-0583.