Hi everyone! I'm a single mom of two teenagers living in Missouri. I was born and raised in Springfield, Virginia, right outside D.C., and would love to move back east. I sure didn't appreciate what was right outside my door back then! I think my kids and I have seen more of Virginia since I've lived out here than all 22 years I spent there. My then-8-year-old son got me interested in the war when we visited Wilsons Creek near Springfield, Mo. Every spring break since then plus a few summer weeks here and there have been spent chasing down battlefields. Never enough time so I have to content myself with books, videos, web sites and the History Channel. And dreaming of the day I'm independently wealthy and can spend all the time I want where I want! Thanks for letting me be a member of a great web site!
Misery? Wow! You're near Vicksburg, Jackson, Champion Hill, Black River, Port Hudson. Take advantage of visiting those sites if you already haven't. Do it for your children. If the library can order it through inter-library loan, have them read Ed Bearrs Vicksburg Campaign, Vol 1-3 (or at least Vol. 3). That's one area of the Civil War I've yet to visit (been to most of the major eastern battlefields and most of the sites involving the Conf. Army of Tennessee). The most "west" I've been is Shiloh.
Like yourself, if I was in the Civil War, I'd want to be in Virginia too. It's not because Virginia is the site of famous battles but because it's next door to Washingtoon with its National Archives and Library o' Congress. Prime research places and it's free to use them. I just spent last week in the former and ran out o' time for the latter.
Yup, that's about right, isn't it? We don't appreciate what we have until it's gone! Welcome to the board and please, make yourself right at home and share with us those trips to the battlefields. We sure would like to hear about your experiences there.
Sincerely,
Unionblue
__________________ "The American people and the Government at Washington may refuse to recognize it for a time but the inexorable logic of events will force it upon them in the end; that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery." Frederick Douglass
"Loyalty to our ancestors does not include loyalty to their mistakes." George Santayana
Thanks for all the welcomes! You all are great! I live in Columbia, Mo. which is right on I-70 between St. Louis and Kansas City. Not much to see close by. Bloody Bill's Centralia Massacre and following battle sites are close by but not interpreted. We have the Lexington (hemp bales) Battlefield, Ft. Davidson (Pilot Knob), and many smaller skirmish and battle sites, most of which are privately owned and not marked. We do have a new CW museum at Jefferson Barracks in the works but won't open for quite awhile. In Tennessee we've been to Parkers Crossroads (Forrest's "charge both ways") Britton Lane (in Jackson) , Stones River, Shiloh and I think that's it. We made it to Chickamauga but ran out of time and had to get home without seeing Chattanooga sites. Missed Franklin, too, but both those plus more Georgia sites, especially Andersonville, are on the agenda in July! Have been to Ft. Morgan and Ft. Gaines in Mississippi, also Brices Crossroads, Tupelo and Vicksburg. Anybody know if the battle against all that kudzo is being won?!? Out east we've been to , of course, Gettysburg , all 3 times in early spring, Antietam, Monocacy, South Mountain, New Market, Lexington, Va., Fredericksburg, Manassas, Richmond, Seven Days sites, Norfolk, Yorktown, Ft. Monroe, Newport News, City Point, Petersburg and associated sites, Five Forks, Lee's Retreat route and Appomatox. Think that's all of them. After Georgia this summer our priority is the Shenandoah Valley then back to Antietam. Most of these trips we kept moving so haven't been able to explore many places in depth, but took lots of pictures which help when I'm reading about them. My teens have been very willing travel partners but this Georgia trip may be our last one together since my daughter is graduating this year. My 15 yr old son is still ready to go anytime. I'm sorry I've run on so much. Will try not to let happen again!!!
Pull into Ft. Negley on your way through Nashville. It is still mostly intact. HUGE stone fort which was occupied by the 175th ILL during the battle, but not actually in action except for a few cannon shot. Much to see in Franklin and Chickamauga. Come on down!
Much to see in Franklin? Not to be critical Larry, but Franklin is over developed. I understand the battlefield folks (bless their hearts) are trying to buy the Pizza Hut where Cleburne fell. I hope they succeed. Franklin has the Carter House (good little museum) and Spring Hill with its memorial to the seven fallen Corn-fed Ginerals.
Now, Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain are both were visiting. If near Chickamauga, then Kennesaw, Pickett's Mill, Kolb's Church are also nearby as well as the Southern Railroad Museum with the General.
CivilWarTalk.com -
A free and friendly Civil War community. 
New from the Midwest 
Welcome 
Linear Mode
