Virginia Civil War Battlefields

[Twotoes]

I am in central FL for the winter and will be heading north sometime April/May. On my bucket list is to go to as many Civil War Battlefields as I can. I have been to Gettysburg several times in the past. Stopped at Vicksburg on my way to FL. I want to go to VA and see the battlefields there. Manssas, Appomattox Courthouse, Antietan, Harpers Ferry, Bull Run etc. What other ones should I visit? What campgrounds are in the area? I would like to camp at one spot for several days and take in as many as I can and then move to another campground for a few days and see the battlefields near by the new campground. 

[SWharton]

Have you ever been to Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown, Jamestown? Not Civil War but part of the founding of our country, same for Philadelphia and Independence Hall. Washington DC is awesome for a couple of weeks.

[Twotoes]

I have been to Philly and DC many times but never Williamsburg, Yorktown or Jamestown. Thanks for the suggestion I will have to Google them.

[Kirk W]

If you like history, there are several presidential homes in the state, starting with the most restored one of all, that of President Washington at Mt. Vernon. We have also visited several others that were very interesting.  This information and more is listed in Field Trip Guide to Presidential Homes.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, Virginia
MountVernon.org

George Washington’s Boyhood Home at Ferry Farm and Historic Kenmore
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Kenmore.org

Monticello, Home of Thomas Jefferson
Charlottesville, Virginia
Monticello.org

Filled with new ideas about architecture after years abroad, Jefferson designed this beautiful example of Roman neoclassicism. Filled with Jefferson’s innovations, it is the only house in the U.S. on the United Nation’s World Heritage List of international treasures.

James Madison’s Montpelier
Montpelier Station, Virginia
Montpelier.org

Madison’s lifelong home, the house was built by Madison’s father and significantly enlarged by later owners. Madison is buried on the grounds of the estate.

Berkeley Plantation, Birthplace of William Henry Harrison
Charles City, Virginia
BerkeleyPlantation.com

The birthplace of our ninth president, William Henry Harrison, and his father, Benjamin, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, this house is also the site of the country’s first Thanksgiving.

 

[Twotoes]

Thanks Kirk. I have been to Washington's house but still want to see Jeffersons. My bucket list is getting longer!!!!

[SWharton]

You might want to spend some time around Richmond. I haven't been there in years but recall Monument Ave as being very interesting and they now have a riverwalk.

[StraitRVing]

My wife and I stayed at Hagerstown/Antietam Battlefield KOA in Williamsport MD a few years ago when we were visiting Civil War sites in Maryland, Virginia, and for trips into Washington D.C.  We spent a week using that as base camp.  

[SWharton]

Just thought of another one Harpers Ferry West Virginia.

[trailertraveler]

Here are links to some that we have visited: Andersonville, Chickamauga, Fort Donelson, Fort Sumter, Fredericksburg, Shiloh, Stones River, Wilson's Creek, Richmond, Fort Pulaski, and Fort McAllister that you might be able to visit on your way North.

Edited December 27, 2019 by trailertraveler

[Tcwndsr]

So many choices along I-95. Cold Harbor, Petersburg, multiple battlefields surrounding Richmond, Chancelorsville and the Wilderness, Fredericksburg, Stonewall Jackson Shrine.

You can go up 301 and follow John Wilkes Booth escape route (in reverse if going north) including Dr. Mudd’s house and on into Washington to Fords Theater. 

There are many museums in Richmond including the White House of the Confereracy and the Confederate Museum. The Jackson Shrine can be a quick stop right off 95 and is well worth it. Manassas, where Jackson became a living legend,  is close to D.C.  

Appomatox is a bit out of the way but also worth the trip. You can follow Lee’s escape route from Petersburg. Don’t miss High Bridge near FarmVille. The living history presentations at Appomattox are very moving.

Edited January 5, 2020 by Tcwndsr

[bigjim]

you do know many civil war battlefields are known by 2 names.   IE: Bull Run is the northern name for the south's Manasass.   Shiloh in TN is southern name for Pittsburg Landing. Many more the same way. That could help you shorten your list but it will still be long.  Like was said they are not "war of Northern Aggression" sites but I liked Yorktown, James town and Colonial Williamsburg. A day or so each was good for me especially in summer with heat and humidity.

Citing War Of Northern Aggression designates me as being a southerner born and bred.🤨

I forgot to say I stayed 2 nights at Bull Run Campground on the way to DC area to volunteer in what ever year Hurricane Katrina happened as I recall it is a community campground of some type.  It was not busy at that time in the 1st week of March.  1 HEADS UP.  get your directions down pat and have decent amount of fuel in case you screw up.  I was pulling a 30ft TT and messed up and was sweating running out of fuel on a 2 lane as I could not find a place to turn around. I finally came out some where near Dulles airport where I was able to gas up and give it a second try which was successful.

Edited December 30, 2019 by bigjim