Practicing social distancing at Gaines Mill

[Jamieva]

So after a long stressful week I was trying to figure out where I could go that didn't involve being around people and get my mind right. And it occured to me to go take a nice walk at my favorite area Civil War battlefield, which is Gaines Mill. Been there untold times, probably at least 10 in my lifetime. By far my favorite battlefield. I did take some pictures because some things have changed since I was last there and walked the trail 2 or 3 years ago.

It appears they recently rebuilt the fencing along the walkway that leads from the parking area to the overlook

 

[Jamieva]

Next up there is now a walking trail to the Texas Monument, which is on the Confederate side of the approach to Boatswain's Creek. I did not walk it because i have seen the monument before, and eyeballing it, it's not an easy walk. Remember that the trail from the parking lot goes downhill to the creek and then you would have to go back up the other side of the hill to get to the monument. Now, starting at the Texas monument and coming back would give you a great perspective of the attack approach.

 

[Jamieva]

Also noticed some very large freshly cut trees along the trail, you could still smell them they had been cut so recently. Most of them were quite large around but appeared to be dead already. If you want a perspective on crossing the creek, here is a picture from the middle of the battlefield. Further to the union left, in front of where Butterfield's troops were aligned, you can literally jump right over it from side to side it is so narrow. There can't be more than 6 inches of water if that.

 

[Jamieva]

Last couple of notes. No i definitely was not the only one there, others had the same idea. There were 5 cars in the parking lot when I left. Also, I did notice there is some more preserved ground now. This is on a lot on the left hand side soon after you turn off the main road to go into the battlefield. This is part of the blue/pink area if you look on the CWT map of Gaines Mill where GA troops approached through to attack.

 

[Saphroneth]

I think the technical term is "an extremely extended order skirmish line".

 

[bdtex]

Wish I was there right now. Thanks for the pictures and commentary.

 

[rpkennedy]

Nice pictures, my friend. Someday I'm going to get some time to walk the Seven Days battles.

Ryan

 

[General Butler]

Not so sure about Virginians and social distancing...Manassas was JAMMED yesterday...had to park on the drive way next to the highway cuz the rest of the 4-5 parking lots were packed...people with dogs everywhere...sadly..my son and I counted 17 doogie poop bags on the ground...guess folks think its ok to bring a dog, pick up their mess and then leave the plastic bags...ahh yes..Northern Virginia, spoiled arrogant and ugly part of Virginia (not the geography just the newly moved in people)

 

[Cavalier]

Never been there but its one battlefield on my list to visit soon. Thank for the photos.

John

 

[JPChurch]

Not so sure about Virginians and social distancing...Manassas was JAMMED yesterday...had to park on the drive way next to the highway cuz the rest of the 4-5 parking lots were packed...people with dogs everywhere...sadly..my son and I counted 17 doogie poop bags on the ground...guess folks think its ok to bring a dog, pick up their mess and then leave the plastic bags...ahh yes..Northern Virginia, spoiled arrogant and ugly part of Virginia (not the geography just the newly moved in people)

Wow, that's very sad......

 

[bwthompson]

My GGGrandfather, Bryant Thompson of the 3rd NC Infantry, was mortally wounded at the Battle of Gaines's Mill. Anyone have photos of the general area of the field where the 3rd NC fought?

 

[Dom71]

great pics @Jamieva . I hope I'm able to social distance in Gettysburg in two weeks.

 

[dlavin]

We took the kids and hiked the AT portion in Maryland where the Battle of South Mountain occurred between Fox's Gap and Turners Gap. Yes we happened upon a few people, but mostly we had it to ourselves. Kids took a selfie with the Reno monument in the background LOL.

Stopped by South Mountain creamery but they were closed

Great photo of the fence line!

 

[rpkennedy]

Not so sure about Virginians and social distancing...Manassas was JAMMED yesterday...had to park on the drive way next to the highway cuz the rest of the 4-5 parking lots were packed...people with dogs everywhere...sadly..my son and I counted 17 doogie poop bags on the ground...guess folks think its ok to bring a dog, pick up their mess and then leave the plastic bags...ahh yes..Northern Virginia, spoiled arrogant and ugly part of Virginia (not the geography just the newly moved in people)

People are starting to go stir crazy and pretty much the only places open are national parks.

Ryan

 

[Claude Bauer]

We took the kids and hiked the AT portion in Maryland where the Battle of South Mountain occurred between Fox's Gap and Turners Gap. Yes we happened upon a few people, but mostly we had it to ourselves. Kids took a selfie with the Reno monument in the background LOL.

Stopped by South Mountain creamery but they were closed

Great photo of the fence line!

If you had been at Fox's Gap Sunday around 2:00 - 3:30 in the afternoon, you would have seen me there playing my fife at the NC monument (not in uniform). The parking lot was full, so I guess most people were hiking on the AT because only a few stopped by the monument--either that or my playing scared them away! Just kidding, it was colder than I had expected and windy, so wasn't quite the warm, sunny day I was hoping for, but I decided to stay anyway. Everyone told me how much they enjoyed hearing the fife music as they walked through the woods, so I'm glad I stayed.

 

[Claude Bauer]

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing!

 

[dlavin]

If you had been at Fox's Gap Sunday around 2:00 - 3:30 in the afternoon, you would have seen me there playing my fife at the NC monument (not in uniform). The parking lot was full, so I guess most people were hiking on the AT because only a few stopped by the monument--either that or my playing scared them away! Just kidding, it was colder than I had expected and windy, so wasn't quite the warm, sunny day I was hoping for, but I decided to stay anyway. Everyone told me how much they enjoyed hearing the fife music as they walked through the woods, so I'm glad I stayed.

WOW, we just missed you! We were there Sunday morning. We did go back to the NC monument! Sorry we missed you.

Closer to home, we have someone who sits off the NCR trail and plays the fife in the afternoons. NCR trail as referenced by a CWT marker for Gilmor's raid. However, the NCR trail is packed with people now! Hard to practice social distancing on a packed trail 5 feet wide.

 

[General Butler]

We took the kids and hiked the AT portion in Maryland where the Battle of South Mountain occurred between Fox's Gap and Turners Gap. Yes we happened upon a few people, but mostly we had it to ourselves. Kids took a selfie with the Reno monument in the background LOL.

Stopped by South Mountain creamery but they were closed

Great photo of the fence line!

Since you went to south mountain and posed with Reno thought you may like this lifesize pastel from just post civil war Genl Reno.

 

[JPChurch]

People are starting to go stir crazy and pretty much the only places open are national parks.

Ryan

No excuse for littering/not cleaning up after your pets at any type of park, whether it be local/state or national. Come on you pet owners, shape up!!!

 

[General Butler]

No excuse for littering/not cleaning up after your pets at any type of park, whether it be local/state or national. Come on you pet owners, shape up!!!

Amen to that. NORTHERN Va transplants from someplace else tend to be arrogant and self important so seeing loads of poop bags is never a surprise. "Why my little pumpkin dog is so cute and kind everybody likes em so I am sure they wont mind if I leave the bags here for some meager employee to pick up"