Next CWT tour

[Zella]

How about going further West before returning East?

I'd suggest the Missouri-Arkansas border region.

We'd have Wilson's Creek, Pea Ridge, and Prairie Grove all together in driving distance, all very, exceptionally well preserved battlefields that don't get enough love from the Civil War community, (the Grant-Lee obsessions of so many drives me bonkers, there were other leaders), and Springfield, Missouri and Fayetteville, Arkansas have grown so much to have excellent accommodations. As for the growth it is extremely bad, before to long Prairie Grove and Wilson's Creek will be completely surrounded by urban growth, so now, or next year rather would be a good time to see them before it's completely ruined.

Besides, they are real gems in comparison to battlefields in Virginia, Tennessee, or Mississippi. Not covered in hundreds of monuments, the ground is pretty close to how it was back then and one get a way better idea of how it looked than in Vicksburg or other places.

Just a thought....

Hey, I could actually attend a Missouri/Arkansas Ozarks one and wouldn't even have to get a hotel for myself--I like this idea! Can also vouch for how nicely preserved Pea Ridge is.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Hey, I could actually attend a Missouri/Arkansas Ozarks one and wouldn't even have to get a hotel for myself--I like this idea! Can also vouch for how nicely preserved Pea Ridge is.

I'll throw out another sales pitch of sorts.

Would everyone like to go to the coast in the fall? Heat, swarms mosquitos that'll devour black bears in a gulp, urban sprawl and city's filled with folks of questionable morals and un-Godly amounts of noise preventing sleep, and rain? Or how about Virginia? More cities, cooler weather, political correctness on steroids, even more noise to prevent sleep, and so many monuments you can't get a clue as to how the actual battlefield looked in its heyday.

Or go to the Ozarks.

Wide open spaces, mountain ranges like the Boston mountains where armies trudged up and down over and over, small towns with their charm and some with Civil War battles long forgotten and battlefields there to be gobbled up five years from now, un-Godly swarms of seed ticks that'd eat up an elephant down to bone in ten minutes if you fall on the ground, battlefields long neglected by CW buffs outside the area and unmolested and left as they were in the CW, (how many battlefields back east can claim that), less likelihood of rain though a possibility of early snow, (alright for most folks, but many a Southerner from elsewhere will die if asked to drive), and an awesome new museum a Wilsons Creek, and quiet at night, (even in the cities its quieter). Not to mention a chance for many a CW buff to broaden their horizons.

I don't know bout all y'all, but Ozarks sounds like a better destination.

Plus its very hard for me to venture much further east than Western Tennessee, and West Mississippi. Plus as many learned at Vicksburg, when I see an unsurmountable obstacle, I get a gleam in my eye, and proceed to cause havoc and great embarrassment by my shenanigans that are memorable and laughable. Full disclosure on my part about my range in States by the way.

 

[Blessmag]

Alternate idea that is not about battles President Lincoln tour in Illinois

Alton Illinois (90 minute drive to Springfield)
Smallpox Island
Alton Prison
Lincoln-Douglas debate site

Lincoln's New Salem

Lincoln courthouses
Mt. Pulaski
Postville (Lincoln)

Springfield
Presidential Museum and Library
Lincoln home
Lincoln tomb

It would be easy (?) to schedule a Friday, Saturday, Sunday event.

 

[archieclement]

Alternate idea that is not about battles President Lincoln tour in Illinois

Alton Illinois (90 minute drive to Springfield)
Smallpox Island
Alton Prison
Lincoln-Douglas debate site

Lincoln's New Salem

Lincoln courthouses
Mt. Pulaski
Postville (Lincoln)

Springfield
Presidential Museum and Library
Lincoln home
Lincoln tomb

It would be easy (?) to schedule a Friday, Saturday, Sunday event.

Thats an even closer one to me, but not sure how well a totally non battle one would go, if we did mobile bay/ land side battles we could do a presidential home in Beauvior, Jeff Davis retirement home on the beach

Plus they removed JWB from the library...………….WTH

 

[gentlemanrob]

I think the vote of membership should determine this like tradition. Another thing we need to know what can these places offer once the parks close at 5:00 PM is there good restaurants is there things to do in the evenings and even nights. What would entice someone to want to drive over a 8 hour drive to these places. Will these places require a lot of driving around once you have reached the location? Also we must remember either way East or West, South or even North some members may have to travel great distances. Also some members are not retired and have to work on Monday morning after a weekend of fun. It would be nice to find an area that would be good for a majority of members so that you can get some new faces as well as returning faces.

 

[archieclement]

I think the vote of membership should determine this like tradition. Another thing we need to know what can these places offer once the parks close at 5:00 PM is there good restaurants is there things to do in the evenings and even nights. What would entice someone to want to drive over a 8 hour drive to these places. Will these places require a lot of driving around once you have reached the location? Also we must remember either way East or West, South or even North some members may have to travel great distances. Also some members are not retired and have to work on Monday morning after a weekend of fun. It would be nice to find an area that would be good for a majority of members so that you can get some new faces as well as returning faces.

It does once they have 3-5 sites with multiple mentions or interest, I believe we will vote between them......however as one who as attended two now, cant help but notice several of the regulars are very interested in the battlefields/arms/generals/navies...….was just noting not sure how a purely political muster without any of that would go.

Personally I've been to all the sites mentioned in the Springfield post and Galena Il which is mainly Grant several times, I live 20 miles from one of the debates

 

[gentlemanrob]

It does once they have 3-5 sites with multiple mentions or interest, I believe we will vote between them......however as one who as attended two now, cant help but notice several of the regulars are very interested in the battlefields/arms/generals/navies...….was just noting not sure how a purely political muster without any of that would go.

I agree plus you have those who love Lincoln and then those who are not to fund of him same way with Jefferson Davis. Some towns roll the carpets up after 5 PM as well. Would be nice to find a town that offers something after 5 PM. It could be a tour, a riverboat cruise, carriage rides etc.

 

[archieclement]

I agree plus you have those who love Lincoln and then those who are not to fund of him same way with Jefferson Davis. Some towns roll the carpets up after 5 PM as well. Would be nice to find a town that offers something after 5 PM. It could be a tour, a riverboat cruise, carriage rides etc.

Pretty sure mobile, springfield mo, and Nashville all have after hours things to do and great places to eat.

Branson would actually be more central to drive from to WC. PR, PG from, and the dining/entertainment is pretty unlimited, with reasonable accomondations , since it has several mentions

Even Dixie Stampede with its north/south show which BTW both the show and the food is good, though group seating might have to be divided The Branson show is westward expansion not CW in theme, tho still uses the north south rivalry

Edit-also branson has the Branson Belle dinner cruise on table rock. Between the two i think Dixie Stampede is superior, but also pricier $50, but I think people would enjoy it so much I'd pay $10 of everyone's ticket if we did a muster there, assuming the numbers attending dont suddenly double or triple Youd want to arrive 630 or 7 for a 8 dinner show, they have a hour preshow and you can walk all the horses stalls used in the show beforehand

But have noticed other members are similarly generous with past musters

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Pretty sure mobile, springfield mo, and Nashville all have after hours things to do and great places to eat.

Branson would actually be more central to drive from to WC. PR, PG from, and the dining/entertainment is pretty unlimited, with reasonable accomondations , since it has several mentions

Even Dixie Stampede with its north/south show which BTW both the show and the food is good, though group seating might have to be divided The Branson show is westward expansion not CW in theme, tho still uses the north south rivalry

I forgot all about Branson, its got a night life, and Nashville is a good suggestion its just, there ain't hardly nothing left of its CW history, or I'd be all for it. Just too little CW wise in Nashville, about three or four small parts of the battlefield, a museum at the Statehouse and that's about it.

As for the Mobile suggestion, bad call. Everyone at Fort Morgan with the guide saying something like "and right over there you will see a marker in the water, that's the final resting place of the USS Tecumseh." quickly followed by a remark "Where's Rusk County?" to which everyone would see me out in the water trying to reach the wreck.

 

[archieclement]

I forgot all about Branson, its got a night life, and Nashville is a good suggestion its just, there ain't hardly nothing left of its CW history, or I'd be all for it. Just too little CW wise in Nashville, about three or four small parts of the battlefield, a museum at the Statehouse and that's about it.

As for the Mobile suggestion, bad call. Everyone at Fort Morgan with the guide saying something like "and right over there you will see a marker in the water, that's the final resting place of the USS Tecumseh." quickly followed by a remark "Where's Rusk County?" to which everyone would see me out in the water trying to reach the wreck.

Nashville would have Franklin and Stones river within driving distance for day tours

 

[gentlemanrob]

Nashville would have Franklin and Stones river within driving distance for day tours

Nashville also has Generals buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery and Old Nashville Cemetery. There's also houses One I know belonged to a General. Plus you can always visit the Hermitage.

 

[gentlemanrob]

I forgot all about Branson, its got a night life, and Nashville is a good suggestion its just, there ain't hardly nothing left of its CW history, or I'd be all for it. Just too little CW wise in Nashville, about three or four small parts of the battlefield, a museum at the Statehouse and that's about it.

As for the Mobile suggestion, bad call. Everyone at Fort Morgan with the guide saying something like "and right over there you will see a marker in the water, that's the final resting place of the USS Tecumseh." quickly followed by a remark "Where's Rusk County?" to which everyone would see me out in the water trying to reach the wreck.

Mobile don't forget has a nice cemetery where several Generals are buried such as Braxton Bragg.

 

[gentlemanrob]

Nashville also has Generals buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery and Old Nashville Cemetery. There's also houses One I know belonged to a General. Plus you can always visit the Hermitage.

I have been to Nashville several times I will say this they do have a problem with hotels having bed bugs so you have to be careful where you stay in Nashville.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Mobile don't forget has a nice cemetery where several Generals are buried such as Braxton Bragg.

I'm still pulling for the Ozarks, but I'll admit it wouldn't be too hard to arrange a guided tour of Fort Blakely.

 

[archieclement]

On the springfield Il one, the drive times would push 2 hrs back and forth, but if was going to drive to alton, misght as well go to STL

Dred Scott courthouse
Jefferson Barracks and a CW museum
Julia Dents Whitehaven

and Bellefontaine cemetery for the cemetery enthusiasts graves of
Edward Bates Lincolns AG
Thomas Hart Benton
Francis Blair Jr Union Gen
Don Carlos Buell Union Gen
Givian Campell, officer who lead the final escape of Davis
William Clark of Lewis and Clark
James Eads
A G Edwards asst sec of treasury under Lincoln and founder of A G Edwards brokerage
Thomas Fletcher Mo Governor who issued proclamation ending slavery in Mo
Howan Gamble Mo Governor and Chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court in 1852 Dred Scott
Stephen Kearny of the Mexican war
Manual Lisa early famed fur trader and explorer of Missouri River
Margaret Mclure 1st president of 1st chapter of the UDC
John McNeil Union Gen
John Pope Union Gen
Sterling Price CSA Gen

Think Springfield Il is hardest to pull off with any variety and long drives, but pointing out pro and con IMO to all

Personally of the ones mentioned Mobile or WC/PR are my favorites

 

[gentlemanrob]

On the springfield Il one, the drive times would push 2 hrs back and forth, but if was going to drive to alton, misght as well go to STL

Dred Scott courthouse
Jefferson Barracks and a CW museum
Julia Dents Whitehaven

and Bellefontaine cemetery for the cemetery enthusiasts graves of
Edward Bates Lincolns AG
Thomas Hart Benton
Francis Blair Jr Union Gen
Don Carlos Buell Union Gen
Givian Campell, officer who lead the final escape of Davis
William Clark of Lewis and Clark
James Eads
A G Edwards asst sec of treasury under Lincoln and founder of A G Edwards brokerage
Thomas Fletcher Mo Governor who issued proclamation ending slavery in Mo
Howan Gamble Mo Governor and Chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court in 1852 Dred Scott
Stephen Kearny of the Mexican war
Manual Lisa early famed fur trader and explorer of Missouri River
Margaret Mclure 1st president of 1st chapter of the UDC
John McNeil Union Gen
John Pope Union Gen
Sterling Price CSA Gen

Think Springfield Il is hardest to pull off with any variety and long drives, but pointing out pro and con IMO to all

Personally of the ones mentioned Mobile or WC/PR are my favorites

Sounds to me like the gas stations would love a Springfield trip plus sounds like all you would be doing is driving.

 

[gentlemanrob]

Sounds to me like the gas stations would love a Springfield trip plus sounds like all you would be doing is driving.

A trip I am surprised no one has mentioned is Washington DC Area a lot of free stuff up there.

 

[wardniner]

Savannah or Charleston I say this because lots of members live in these areas that cant travel 13 or more hours for a weekend trip plus there's lots of civil war sites in both cities.
1. Historical Houses
2. Hunley
3. Historical Forts
4. Historical cemeteries
5. Seafood

Chatham Artillery punch all around!

 

[gentlemanrob]

Chatham Artillery punch all around!

Exactly!

 

[Nathanb1]

Nashville would have Franklin and Stones river within driving distance for day tours

I'd center in Franklin, with more in Spring Hill, and have optional tours to Nashville and Stones River--and I think we could ask to see the Forrest Boyhood Home which is nearby. There are a ton of neat entertainment options in Franklin (I might be able to prevail on a friend from high school for some entertainment, too. You might look him up--Lee Roy Parnell).

In Franklin: Carter House, Lotz House, Carnton are great. Tom Cartwright is with the Lotz House now. Carnton takes at least half a day--and the Battlefield Trust has done a nice job surrounding. Winstead Hill is a MUST to figure out the battle. There are also related things, since the battle was in town--the Cotton Gin site, which was saved from that awful Pizza Hut existence...I'm sure @EricAJacobson could fill us in on more since the last time I was there in fall 2017. I never have enough time at the Carter House, and Rippavilla in Spring Hill is good, too. I can see a full Friday-Saturday-Sunday doing Franklin/Spring Hill, with enough side trips to make folks from far away happy...and Nashville is an extremely easy airport to navigate!

LOL, as @luinrina and I discussed, you can even drive past THIS on the Interstate and see for yourself how hideous it is....