BS: american civil war battlefileds

Subject: BS: american civil war battlefileds
From: GUEST,Lyndi-loo
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 11:29 AM

My SO wants to visit the US next year and particular wants to visit the bttlefilds at Gettysburg and Antietam. What is the best way to see these? Are there any tours from Washington and what other places of interest are there in the area?

Subject: RE: BS: american civil war battlefileds
From: robomatic
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 11:46 AM

Do a web search for the Parks themselves. They have visitor centers. I visited them years ago and found Antietam quite worth visiting, and Gettysburg is not-to-be-missed but it is a zoo.

The number of things to be seen in the DC area are so many it is easier to start with the type of thing you want to see first. Since you've mentioned Civil War I'd go over to Richmond Virginia, stopping at Manassas (Bull-Run), and check out the sites around Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. I was there before the movies came out, so maybe they're a bit built up, but they were just gorgeous and uncrowded with nice visitor's centers and knowledgeable park people, many of whom were guarding the areas in which their great grandfathers fell.

If you are not city bound, Monticello is not too far away and is near the Shenandoah Valley where Stonewall and Confederate Cavalry eluded the Federals. There's also the Blue Ridge Highway and the Smokies National Park. Into Tennessee you've got several famous battle sites, Knoxville, and Fort Donelson, where U S Grant made his bones.

Subject: RE: BS: american civil war battlefileds
From: Highlandman
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 03:51 PM

Best way to avoid (as much as can be) the zoo at Gettysburg is to use the tape-recorded self tour, especially if you've done a little homework ahead of time. The battlefield itself is spread over quite a large area and most of the crowds cluster around the visitors' centers.
If you get a chance to go up the Shenandoah Valley, I highly recommend the battlefield at New Market. The battlefield itself is pretty well preserved (excepting the interstate running right through it) and the museum is excellent. Usually very uncrowded, too.
The Appomatox site has a lot of interesting historical information, but there wasn't a setpiece battle fought there, so it's mostly recreations, but still worth a visit.
I haven't been to Antietam yet, myself.
As far as non-belligerent activities go, you might want to check out the websites of the Virginia tourism people. Virginia has attractions for an incredible range of interests. One of the standard places to visit is the Luray Caverns near New Market.
I hope you have a good visit. Cheers
-HM

Subject: RE: BS: american civil war battlefileds
From: jeffp
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 04:16 PM

If you go to New Market the 2nd Sunday in May (U.S. Mother's Day), there is a fairly sizable re-enactment of the battle. At least there used to be. It's been a fair few years since I participated. Lots of noise and smoke and guys in wool outfits on a day which for some reason is just about always hotter than Hell.

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: american civil war battlefileds
From: Highlandman
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 04:19 PM

Since JeffP mentioned it, let us know your schedule closer to the time, and we can find you a battle re-enactment to attend. I'm currently involved in said totally impractical activity -- there's something going on somewhere just about every weekend in season.
-HM

Subject: RE: BS: american civil war battlefileds
From: Charmion
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 04:20 PM

Edmund (CET) and I have been to Gettysburg several times. The best way, in our opinion, is to go by car and arrange to be there for two to three days. The first day, see the museum at the visitors' centre, especially the "electric map" presentation, and sign up for a private tour with a licensed battlefield guide, which is what you do the second day. Definitely do the self-guided tour by car or on foot, which can take you an hour (by car) or all day, depending on how energetic you are and how much you think you can learn from walking the ground.

You should also take in the special presentations by the park rangers. These are usually given within easy walking distance of the visitors' centre, which is less than 100 metres from the "high-water mark of the Confederacy", the spot where Pickett's Charge fizzled out. If you can manage a horse or a mule (stronger than horses but more wilful), you might consider taking the horseback tour, which covers parts of the site that you aren't allowed to drive to. I believe that bicycles are also allowed.

The licensed battlefield guides are the Gettysburg equivalent of an old-fashioned London taxi driver, but military. They know every bump and tree of the battlefield, and drive you around in your car telling you exactly what happened and when at every spot (and why it mattered), and answering any and all questions you can possibly dream up. Some are ex-soldiers who have retired into the job of their dreams, and all are worth the price of the tour. If you go on a bus tour, the commentary will be given by one of these guides.

Don't for God's sake go during the first week of July, the anniversary of the battle, when the place is crawling with re-enactors. A week day in spring or fall is usually good, although in early summer you could run into large school tours.

Gettysburg is the most developed battlefield site I have seen. It is closely followed by Appomatox Court House, an entire village that has been preserved as an historic site. Antietam, too, is well worth a visit, and you could easily spend a week in the Fredericksburg-Chancellorsville area.

Just beware of the Martha Stewart-esque bed and breakfast establishments, places so embellished that you have a hard time finding a spot to sit down. All the ones we've been to offered a terribly fancy breakfast with dreadful coffee.

Subject: RE: BS: american civil war battlefileds
From: PoppaGator
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 06:10 PM

If you go to Luray, Virginia, send a PM to Bobert and let him know you'll be in the area ~ he has just moved there from West Virginny.

When he first announced his relocation, he said he was taking over an inn or hotel of some kind, which might be just the thing you need. He hasn't mentioned it again in a while, though, so maybe he's not going into the innkeeper business after all.

I'm sure that he can refer you to local attractions and musical events, including perhaps his own personal appearances. Also, Luray Caverns is a natural wonder and notable tourist attraction.

Subject: RE: BS: american civil war battlefileds
From: Jimmy C
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 06:22 PM

I've been to Gettysburg on a good few occasions, and as Highlandman says the audio tape would be a good idea. I always advise my family members and other visitors to read a little about the battle and also watch the movie " Gettysburg" with Jeff Daniels as Chamberlain and Tom Berenger as Longstreet prior to going. Touring the battlefield without a little knowledge of the places and people involved may just appear to be a collection of monuments. I always go in September if possible, not too crowded then. A stop and walk up Little Round Top is not to be missed, going up Big Round Top can be tiring, depending on the age and physical condition of the visitor.

Subject: RE: BS: american civil war battlefileds
From: Peter T.
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 06:23 PM

I would go to Harper's Ferry, it is so interesting, and a beautiful trip from Washington. You get a first hand glimpse of the critical geography, the train junctions, and so on. You can pivot from that point almost anywhere in the Eastern zone of conflict.   There is a bed and breakfast you can stay in that was Stonewall Jackson's HQ!

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: american civil war battlefileds
From: GUEST,Lyndi-loo
Date: 18 Aug 05 - 04:15 AM

Thanks chaps - all great first hand info and just what I need!