Gen. Ulysses S. Grant stood atop a dirt hill on the west side of what is now the Old Warren County Court House Museum — Eva W. Davis Memorial.

His troops were gathered along Monroe Street listening to their commander praise their success.

Vicksburg had finally fallen.

However, Dr. E.C. Fields said, in his opinion, the Civil War was not about who won or lost, it was about the spirit exhibited by both the Confederate and Union soldiers.

Fields, who is a retired high school principal and is currently working as an adjunct professor at the University of Memphis, will portray Grant in the upcoming Night at the Museum, which is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. June 11 at the Old Court House Museum.

Fields said as a southerner, it has never bothered him to play the Union general.

“I’ve always been a student of the war, and it’s never mattered to me who won or lost. It is the beauty of the history of who did what and how they did it,” Fields said, adding there was valor and courage that was displayed on both sides.

“Whichever side you favor you cannot denigrate the other side, because that was the greatest uniqueness of the Civil War because every man fought for country and cause and patriotism and principle.”

Fields considers himself a body double for Grant. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, Field said most people assume Grant was a big man, and he was when the average man during the time of the Civil War was only 5 feet 6 inches tall.

Fields said he has been portraying the commanding general of the United States Army for seven years.

“I am a walking talking three dimensional interactive teaching tool and find it fascinating at how people can become so easily engaged with the general. People don’t see me, they see Grant.”

During the Night at the Museum, people attending will be taken through the museum in groups and along with Fields, four other actors will tell their stories about the Siege of Vicksburg.

“Last year, the attendance was fabulous. People were lined up down the street for two blocks, and we are expecting attendance will be even better this year,” said Bubba Bolm, the curator and director at the Old Court House Museum.

In addition to Grant, the event will include Admiral David Porter, who will be portrayed by Dr. David Slay.

Slay is a park ranger and interpreter at the Vicksburg National Military Park.

Amanda McCaskill will portray Mary Loughborough.

“Mary Loughborough is the girl who was caught behind the lines during the Siege of Vicksburg, and she wrote the book ‘My Cave Life in Vicksburg,’” Bolm said.

Diane McEachern will portray Elizabeth Eggleston.

“She was a southern lady devoted to the cause and she has a great story,” Bolm said.

Dr. David Harris will portray a Civil War surgeon and talk about Civil War field surgery.

“It’s kind of gruesome, but very entertaining. He also answers a lot of questions that dispels a lot of fiction like ‘biting the bullet,’” Bolm said.

Admission to the Night at the Museum is $10 for adults and $5 for grades first through 12th. Tickets can be purchased the night of the event or in advance at the Old Court House Museum, 1008 Cherry St. For more information, call 601-636-0741.