"Bucket List" Route Suggestions.

[MaverickBBD]

Next Tuesday, April 12 at 04:30 a.m. marks the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. One of the goals for my retirement has always been traveling and taking in as much of the history as possible. Having been raised not too far from Gettysburg I did that a LOT growing up and it still impresses the heck out of me. Done re-enactment in Winchester, Va. All of this done in the time of the 100th anniversary. From those who have done it and those who have wanted to do it what are your preferred routes, timetables and length of stays along the way? There is so much history and so much to see I think I will have to narrow it down to major battles, cities, and campaigns. Any suggestions and must sees?

[RVNeophytes2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaverickBBD Next Tuesday, April 12 at 04:30 a.m. marks the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. One of the goals for my retirement has always been traveling and taking in as much of the history as possible...

I think you've hit on something significant, Mav.

iRV2 would be a good place in which to put together routes for commemorating the anniversary you've mentioned; also for wine enthusiasts, museum aficionados, and any other interest group. Maybe we can have a member-built tour section.

For my part, I'll make a pitch for my hometown attraction, Antietam National Battlefield, in Western Maryland. If you're there for the last two weeks of October, the region's dramatic autumn colors are an added bonus. Don't forget that Catoctin Mountain National Park lies on the opposite side of the valley. The Catoctins, home to presidential retreat Camp David, are rocky New England type forests similar to Mt. Washington or Mt. Crawford, in New Hampshire, as opposed to the moist and lush southern-type landscape on the battlefield side. Marylanders are fond of calling their state "America in Miniature," and that translates into a wealth of travel opporunities for the RV crowd, from Deep Creek Lake to the far western border, to Ocean City at the Atlantic Ocean.

I imagine the membership will help you connect the dots, perhaps a canned route for Civil War historians can be made from their contributions.

Good luck!!

[ctcamper]

Personally I like them all and I just take them in if I happen to be near one.
My dad was a history teacher and I was surrounded by his coworkers in that field growing up ( one of them a huge civil war buff) .. I spent my vacations and summers visiting battlefields and places of interest. I have revisited some of them several times now. One thing I can say, I am glad I got to see some of them before they became so commercialized.

[RVThere]

We have done a number of Civil War sites over the years with the boys. Besides G'burg and Antietam, we have also done Shiloh, New Market, Richmond, Harpers Ferry and Appomattox.

Maybe to commenorate the 150th anniversary, you can do a trip that starts in Ft. Sumter, loops up to Richmond, Fredericksburg, Manassas, G'burg, Shenandoah Valley and ends at Appomattox's McLean House where the surrender was signed.

[ctcamper]

I was entertaining a thought of driving "Sherman's March" next. I have been meaning to get to Atlanta and Savannah anyway and that might be a fun trip.

[MaverickBBD]

All great idea! Starting with the basics I am trying to figure out the best time of the year, weather wise. Being from the left coast we know about ground shaking but "don't know nothin' 'bout no tornadoes Mz Scarlette". A lot of history involves "tornado alley" and although I have crossed and traveled through it many times I would prefer to pick the optimum time.

I like the idea of the tour section as I was thinking the Civil War would be a great one to put together with the "Bourbon Trail" distilleries.

[Glassalley52]

Try this website: The Historical Marker Database

A fair number of the Revolutionary War route coincides with the Civil War route historical markers on the right coast.

[4Fun]

If you 'google' - "civil war battlefields" - there are many websites that will give you tons of information. Some of the websites are directly tied to the National Park system and will give you all the information you want including camping availibility in the area. We are Pennsylvanians now after many years on the West Coast. Most campgrounds in the Northeast close Nov 1st and re-open April 29th.

[photonut4]

If you happen to be in the Nashville, TN area it would be worth your while to travel to Franklin, Tn, which is 30 miles south of Nashville. A good size battle took place there, and there are a couple really interesting historical sites including the Carter house where the battle actually took place. And the Carnton Plantation, which was converted into a field hospital, and of course there is the confederate cemetary located there.

And of course, a short drive away is the Jack Daniels distillery. Much to see and do in the area.

[alageezer]

For the poster that mentioned "Shermans March", I would think that Andersonville would be on the list. Although it does honor all POW's, the treatment our ancesters carried out on their own is horrendous..

[Coached]

http://www.woodalls.com/campground/c...001416&index=0

You might find this interesting ... we went last September and although it's a timeshare we took advantage of the four day special, listened to the 90 minutes sales talk, then went to tourist ... just 'down the road' is the site of Custer's "1st stand", which I had never heard of - he was captured by the Confederates and rescued by the Cavalry a couple of days later! There is a tavern on the corner that dates back to the mid 1700's and was a working bar / hotel during the Civil War ... there are lots of plaques and sites to see and the campground is quite nice ... I think you can just rent there too ... Gettysburg is still my favourite though ... stay at Artillery Ridge Campground, take the horseback tour and the guided tour then use your tow'd to go visit all the other sites that are within an hour or two drive from there ... Off to Cumberland Gap, Harper's Ferry, and, of course, Appotomax next, then down to Vicksburg (stay at the Casino for max. 3 days) where you will be left absolutely speechless if you're a true 'fan' of the Conflict, or East over to South Carolina to see where it all started ... amazing no matter which route(s) you take.

[two-niner]

In second guessing, the Confederate States of America made their capitol at Richmond, VA. Thus the most well known battles were of each armies trying to capture the others capitol city (Washington and Richmond).
Maybe starting at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in TN, working your way down to Vicksburg, MS and follow the war route to Atlanta. Then the "Shermans's March" to the Atlantic Ocean and up the east coast.

On a personal note, the National Cemetery at Vicksburg is as striking as my final destination, Arlington National Cemetery.

Kerry

[AISTQM]

Don't miss Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg