2025 CWT Muster Side Trips

[BlazingSaddles]

Hi all!

This thread is for any and all pictures, stories, good eats, etc. from the 2025 Muster Side Trips.

We're looking forward to seeing everyone on Thursday to kick off the official 2025 CWT Muster in Fredericksburg, VA!

 

[BlazingSaddles]

@Diane123 @lelliott19 @gjpratt @Rocky18 and I visited the Exchange Hotel & Civil War Medical Museum in Gordonsville, VA this morning (Tuesday, Oct. 7)!
Unfortunately, the museum did not allow pictures inside. However, we did see some awesome artifacts and relics - I definitely recommend checking it out!

 

[Diane123]

@Diane123 @lelliott19 @gjpratt and I visited the Exchange Hotel & Civil War Museum in Gordonsville, VA this morning (Tuesday, Oct. 7)!
Unfortunately, the museum did not allow pictures inside. However, we did see some awesome artifacts and relics - I definitely recommend checking it out!
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Thanks @BlazingSaddles for posting this and getting us started! We all really enjoyed this museum, and the relics are amazing. This is a side trip that is a "must" for any Civil War relic enthusiast, plus we had several spectral visitors during our tour. The entrance door to the museum opened on its own several times while our guide was giving her opening remarks, and I know I closed the door completely.

 

[BlazingSaddles]

Lunch at Well Hung Vineyard, located right across the train tracks from the Exchange Hotel & Civil War Medical Museum!
10/10, definitely a must-visit restaurant for the crab cake sliders alone!

 

[gjpratt]

Amazing crab cake sliders.

 

[gjpratt]

Lunch at Well Hung Vineyard, located right across the train tracks from the Exchange Hotel & Civil War Medical Museum!
10/10, definitely a must-visit restaurant for the crab cake sliders alone!
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[BlazingSaddles]

@Diane123 @gjpratt and I spent the afternoon scouting for historical sites and good wine - and found ourselves at King Family Vineyards, which is also home to Roseland Polo - who is currently hosting the Federation of International Polo's World Arena Polo Championship this week!
We got to see the Guatemala vs. Italy semifinals while tasting wine!

 

[Diane123]

@Diane123 @gjpratt and I spent the afternoon scouting for historical sites and good wine - and found ourselves at King Family Vineyards, which is also home to Roseland Polo - who is currently hosting the Federation of International Polo's World Arena Polo Championship this week!
We got to see the Guatemala vs. Italy semifinals while tasting wine!
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It's always a great day when you can mix history, horses, and wine!

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Well Hung Vineyard,

Lord have mercy !

What a name.

I'm sure they sell quite a few souvenirs ... like the shirt @gjpratt posted.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

Confederate redoubt near Aquia Landing. The artillery here dueled with Union gunboats early in roadies.

The modern road to to Aquia Landing Park is built on the original Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad roadbed.

The southern pier of the railroad bridge across Potomac Creek. There is at least one well-known photo of the bridge during the war. Staunton got dizzy here crossing on foot with Dahlgren. The road leading here (VA 626) is built in the old railroad bed.

 

[BlazingSaddles]

First stop of the morning (Wednesday, 10/8), led by @Woods-walker! @lelliott19 @Rocky18 @ErnieMac @stu613 and myself in attendance

We started outside the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center (currently closed)

and followed the road down to a bike trail, where this sign is located.

We branched off of the bike trail and followed the "secret road" towards Willis Cemetery and Fredericksburg National Cemetery. This road was the Confederate route to Marye's Heights.

Lots of very official navigational pointing took place when we arrived to the clearing by the cemeteries!

Interpretive signage for Willis Cemetery

This is the gate to Willis Cemetery. The damage to the marble gatepost is explained in the sign in the above picture.

The three above pictures are from Fredericksburg National Cemetery.

@ErnieMac @lelliott19 @Rocky18 in front of the monument commemorating Humphrey's Division 5th Corps at Marye's Heights, located in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.

A common box turtle (Terrapene carolina) joined us for part of the walk along the secret road.

A red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) was watching over Willis Cemetery when we arrived. He/she posed for a couple of pictures and then flew to a distant tree to keep watching over the cemetery.

 

[BlazingSaddles]

Quick stops at Todd's Tavern and @woods-walker's property (which just so happens to be battlefield!)

 

[BlazingSaddles]

Spotsylvania Court House Battlefield with interpretation by @Woods-walker

 

[bdtex]

@woods-walker's property (which just so happens to be battlefield!)

Good stuff. I was fortunate enough to get that personal tour in 2022.

 

[BlazingSaddles]

Spotsylvania Court House Battlefield pt. 2 - Upton's Trail and the Muleshoe Salient
@Diane123 and @gjpratt joined us here!

 

[bdtex]

Hey @Rocky18. Wish I coulda been there with you guys today.

Spotsylvania Court House Battlefield pt. 2 - Upton's Trail and the Muleshoe Salient


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[luinrina]

Great pictures! Especially the Spotsylvania ones bring back good memories of the day I spent on that battlefield in summer 2019 (goodness, has it really been six years? ) I walked that Upton trail too back then.

 

[milhistbuff1]

Did anyone happen to grab photos including the rail line/junction @ Gordonsville? Love all the photos and glad everyone is having a great time!

 

[Tony Z]

Nice photos and I look forward to the "muster" pics and commentary!

 

[Woods-walker]

I have a friend who is an expert on the Fredericksburg Confederate Cemetery and I want you to meet him there next time you're up here - naturally y'all both have a lot in common