Day One
Antietam, Maryland
This is the site where we start our trip. This battle was also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg. It is known as the bloodiest battle between the North and the South. McClellan and Lee faced each other off, and McClellan failed to send out all his men to fight. If he had sent out all of his men, rather than just a few at a time, the North would have suffered less casualties and the battle would have soon been over with. Because of that overlook, both Lee and Jackson’s armies put up a good fight against the North. In the end, the North was able to overcome them and won the battle.
We decided to come here because we wanted to see the battlefield and the route that the armies took. This was the first battle to be fought on Northern soil. It was also the battle that caused Abraham Lincoln to pass the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a significant part of Civil War history that we didn't want to miss out on.
We decided to come here because we wanted to see the battlefield and the route that the armies took. This was the first battle to be fought on Northern soil. It was also the battle that caused Abraham Lincoln to pass the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a significant part of Civil War history that we didn't want to miss out on.
Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia
The largest Union surrender happened at Harper’s Ferry. Jackson surrounded, bombarded, and captured the Union garrison. The Union Army, led by Miles, stationed his men in the town instead of going to higher ground. His troops were surrounded by the Confederates. Harper’s Ferry, on three sides, is surrounded by higher terrain. After hours of bombardment, and quick thinking on Jackson's part, he was able to put the Union in a position in which they struggled to get out of. As a result, Jackson won the battle. However, throughout the war Harper's Ferry kept switching hands between the North and South.
First off, the place is very scenic and beautiful. Along with that, the town is very historic because of the federal arsenal that used to be there and because of John Brown’s Raid.
First off, the place is very scenic and beautiful. Along with that, the town is very historic because of the federal arsenal that used to be there and because of John Brown’s Raid.
Five Forks, Virgina
At the Battle of Five Forks, Grant closed Lee’s supply lines to Petersburg, VA. This was a big victory for Grant because Lee's troops were divided in half. The troops couldn't pass through Union lines. The Confederates were cut off and forced to abandon the city they were holding. This battlefield is important because the victory here would soon lead to the final Confederate surrender at the Appomattox Courthouse two weeks later.
One of the big reasons that we chose this battleground to go to was that we had never heard of it. We were able to learn a lot about the battle, and that was very interesting. It certainly didn't hurt that the battlefield was on the way to the Grand Caverns, where we were headed to next. Something that we found really cool was the use of the Calvary in this battle.
One of the big reasons that we chose this battleground to go to was that we had never heard of it. We were able to learn a lot about the battle, and that was very interesting. It certainly didn't hurt that the battlefield was on the way to the Grand Caverns, where we were headed to next. Something that we found really cool was the use of the Calvary in this battle.
Grand Caverns, Grottoes, VA
During the Valley Campaign, Union and Confederate Soldiers both used the Caverns for shelter. The Caverns were located near where the battle of Cross Keys took place. This battle happened on June 8, 1862, when the Confederate forces were commanded by Major General Stonewall Jackson. His troops defeated Union forces that were led by General John Freemont.
In these Caverns, there are over 200 signatures all over the wall from the soldiers, including W.W.Miles. This, along with the fact that it was near the Shenandoah Valley, made us want to visit it. It was something that we had never heard of, and it wasn't something that we'd seen at any of the other stops on our trip. The scenery and landscape is so nice, that it is hard to imagine a battle taking place there. It cost $18 per adult to get in, but we each had a discount through AAA. This site brought the close to our first day on the road. We traveled about 483 miles, give or take, and had a great start to our trip!
In these Caverns, there are over 200 signatures all over the wall from the soldiers, including W.W.Miles. This, along with the fact that it was near the Shenandoah Valley, made us want to visit it. It was something that we had never heard of, and it wasn't something that we'd seen at any of the other stops on our trip. The scenery and landscape is so nice, that it is hard to imagine a battle taking place there. It cost $18 per adult to get in, but we each had a discount through AAA. This site brought the close to our first day on the road. We traveled about 483 miles, give or take, and had a great start to our trip!