Civil War sites

[walnutred]

ChuckS1,

My absolute favorite duty station was Ft. Lee, Va. That was before the fence was up and my standard Saturday morning routine was: Leave the barracks, cross the road, cut through the woods, jog down to The Crater and back, go to breakfast.

There is so much to do in that part of the country. Hour or so east and your sitting on the beach. Hour or so west and your in the mountains.

 

[Beauetienne]

Originally posted by Airpark:
Vicksburg, MS will knock your hat in the creek. Makes you marvel at how they did it.

What he said!!

 

[kennyb]

dont forget hopewell...right next to petersburg and just south of richmond...look over a hillside here after a big rain...shrapnel,bayonets,and the like are still visible....so much civil war history here...you can stay wayyyyyyy busy with a metal detector

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

I've been to several Civil War sites, but the one that sticks in my mind is Antietam. Ed Bearss was the guide, and at 86, he ran the pants off the entire crowd. He actually complimented those who kept up with him-not everybody did!
The man's knowledge is amazing. At the Burnside Bridge, one of the folks mentioned that her ancestor was with a particular regiment. Ed switched from his usual comments to focus on that regiment, naming commanders, and showing where they were deployed.
And to look at the Sunken Road (Bloody Lane)that looks the same as it did then sends a shiver up your spine.

 

[dave-arlington-va]

In the mid 70's I worked for the US Natl Park Service in Richmond VA. Here's a link to a great museum, one of the best for artifacts and personal effects of many of the major Confedrate generals etc. A great collection of weapons and uniforms also. While in Richmond check out Monument Ave and the Virginia Historical Society on the Boulevard next to the Fine Arts Museum. It did and still I suppose continues to house many of the regimental battle flags of confedrate units. Be sure to check out too the Cold Harbor battle ground and Malvern Hill. One caution regarding metal detectors though, they are strictly prohibited on National Park Service property! However keep an eye out for artifacts that do sometimes percolate to the surface. Of course should you find an expended minie ball be sure to turn it over to the first ranger you see

!! Its rare but I saw it happen a few times. Minie balls and a coin. Never saw anyone turn over anything to the ranger though.

http://www.moc.org/site/PageServer

http://www.nps.gov/rich/

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Get all the maps you can. Remember that a lot of where the action took place is now paved over alas. In 1975 I passed through Petersburg
on my way to Fort Bragg. I stopped at a convenience store for a drink, looked up at a historic marker, it said this was the spot where A.P. Hill was killed.

 

[dave-arlington-va]

Here's where A.P. Hill is buried. At a busy intersection on Richmond's north side. Took three times to get him there too. I doubt many of the thousands who pass through that intersection every day know he's there.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-...gi?page=gr&GRid=4427

 

[mississippi revolverman]

I grew up in Vicksburg, Ms so its my favorite. Shiloh is good also

 

[mroyal98]

Gettysburg is a must. Take at least two days minimum. Take advantage of the Park Ranger riding in your car to provide an introduction and then revisit and explore the places you find interesting. There are horse rides that take you to the Confederate line and across the field to the bloody angle. If not on horse, walk it yourself. You can feel it in the ground.

I have visited most of the battlefields in Northern Virginia. The most interesting way to do it is to pick a year and follow the campaign from spring to winter.
Try the Frederickburgs battle, and follow it through Salems Church and Chancellorsville. Sidebar trip to the Wilderness while you are there, but that was a different campaign.

You can't go wrong.

 

[Centenniel]

I'll second the mention of Chickamauga National Battlefield. Lots of incredible history, scenic beauty, and the wonderful gun collection at the park headquarters. It is well worth the trip.

 

[em-man]

Fredricksburg, Wilderness, Chancelorsville, it could take all summer to just see them. It could take several years to explore 'em.

Antietam is down right spooky...

Don't pass up Lee's birthplace or Washington's or Monticello, or...

I was fortunate that my inlaws retired to the Fredricksburg area. They lived on the Wilderness Battlefield. Lake of the Woods to be exact. My father in law would scout areas for me and him to see before I came down to visit. I spent a week or two every summer exploring with my father in law. Sure miss the old guy...

 

[NCTexan]

As I read Civil War History, it's always fun to see photographs of the people, places, and times.

Here are some of my favorite web sites:

http://www.old-picture.com/theme-index-001.htm
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/cwphtml/cwphome.html
http://www.historycentral.com/bio/UGENS/Index.html
http://www.historycentral.com/bio/CWcGENS/

 

[dennis40x]

Gettysburg is always mentioned along with other sites. Not as often mentioned is Antietam. I've been to all the sites where the Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment 2nd Brigade 2nd Division 1st Corps April 22, 1861 to July 1, 1865 fought. Even thou the 1st Corps ceased to exist with the reorganization of the army the 11th would always be of the 1st Corps.

 

[230grfmj]

I was in Gettysburg 2 weeks ago for the second time in 10 years. It is fascinating, and I canlt wait to go back again soon.

They have new museum there that is well worth spending one half of a day at learning what took place. Then take the drive around the battlefields or take a guided bus tour. It is hard to believe what occurred there.

http://gettysburgfoundation.org/

I also recommend watching this DVD as I'm told it's very accurate and many of the scenes were filmed on the actual battlefields in Gettysburg.

http://video.barnesandnoble.co...-Lang/e/053939613926

They actually removed some of the monuments to film the movie.

 

[Glitch]

Bennett Place is just a stone's throw from I-85 and I-40 if you ever pass through Durham. Site of Johnston's surrender of the Confederate Army to Sherman. There's a nice museum and the reconstructed farm (the farmhouse chimney is original). I take my lunch over there sometimes.

Bennett Place