Civil War Research

Famous Civil War Battlefields

Famous Civil War Battlefields

If you believe the purpose of a vacation is to truly make you feel an emotion you can’t really achieve during your normal day, you might want to consider traveling to one of America’s famed Civil War battle fields as a destination. There’s nothing as chill-inducing as visiting the exact spot where the history of the country changed; traveling to these astonishing battlegrounds enables you to get a first-hand glimpse into the horrors and heroism of war that shaped the destiny of the country. So, if you’re planning on trekking to one of the famous Civil War battlefields across the country, which ones should be on the top of your list? Here are few sites that my family have visited over the past few years.

 

GETTYSBURG, PA

This is the site of the most famous battle ever fought on American soil, and the turning point for the entire Civil War. Fought over three tumultuous days (July 1-3, 1863), the decisive defeat of the Confederate armies at the small but crucial junction town in Pennsylvania is one of the most iconic milestones in American and world history. A Union loss would have given the Confederate armies an important morale boost, crucial supplies and a platform to invade crucial spots in the Northeast; however, a stout defense by the North threw back the Southern advance and struck a blow from which the Confederacy would never recover. The battle is well-remembered for the heroic defense of Little Round Top by Maine Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and the famous but fatal “Pickett’s Charge,” lead by Southern Gen. George Pickett. At present day, the beautiful Gettysburg National Park and Gettysburg National Cemetery remain one of the nation’s most visited and most goosebump-inducing sites.

 

SHILOH, TN

This two-day battle in 1862 was the first major victory in the career of Union General Ulysses S. Grant, and it proved his worth as a general to Abraham Lincoln. An important, hard-won victory in the Union’s southern advance through Tennessee, Grant’s actions helped stem a crucial Confederate northern swing and also cost the Confederacy one of its most important generals – Maj. Gen. Albert S. Johnston, who was killed on the first day of the battle. Today, the Shiloh National Military Park offers a visitor center and cemetery to visit and also features several “living history” opportunities throughout the year.

 

ANTIETAM, MD

Over 20,000 men were killed in one day at the bloody Battle of Antietam in 1862, as Confederate General Robert E. Lee and Northern General George McClellan faced off for control of the state of Maryland. The long and extraordinarily deadly battle resulted in a draw but prompted President Abraham Lincoln to issue his historic “Emancipation Proclamation” in the aftermath of the battle. Currently, the Antietam grounds are preserved at the Antietam National Battlefield, with a cemetery and a museum for visitors to tour.

 

MANASSAS, VA

This site hosted not one but two vital battles in the Civil War, as the armies of both sides battled for its crucial rail junction. The first – the First Battle of Manassas (or the First Battle of Bull Run) – was the first major warfare of the conflict in July 1861, a victory for the Confederacy. The battle also made a hero of the immortal Southern general Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. The Second Battle of Manassas (or the Second Battle of Bull Run) took place a little over a year later and was another victory in the glorious but brief wartime career of “Stonewall” Jackson. Visitors to Manassas today can explore the Manassas National Battlefield Park, a beautiful and well-preserved ground that contains tributes to both battles.

 

VICKSBURG, MS

This crucial battle combined with the defeat at Gettysburg to deal the Confederacy a fatal blow. Under the leadership of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, the Northern Army of Tennessee executed a devastating siege on this crucial town on the Mississippi River, opening up the crucial waterway to the armies of the North and cutting a wide swath through the south.  Today, the Vicksburg National Military Park offers a spectacular array of monuments and markers, as well as the wreck of the U.S.S. Cairo.

These are just a few of the more prominent Civil War battlefields – there are dozens of others across the country that we’re planning to visit, each with their own unique and unforgettable historical treasures to present to a visitor. It’s a perfect educational trip for the entire family – you’re sure to have an experience that you’ll never forget.

Looking for more information on Civil War battlefield destinations? Click here.

Have You Visited Angel Island?

Have you visited Angel Island?

San Francisco is known as one of America’s loveliest tourist destinations. The bustling city offers lovely natural scenery, stunning Bay Views and a variety of interesting sites. During one of our family field trips we visited one of the most historic and often overlooked parts of San Francisco, Angel Island. Located in the San Francisco Bay, Angel Island is actually the Bay’s biggest island and it has an impressive history to match.

Long before European settlers came to the San Francisco area, the island was used by the Coastal Miwok Indians for fishing and hunting. Later, it was used as a private cattle ranch and an army post for the U.S. Army during the Civil War. The richest part of Angel Island’s history began in 1910, when the island was transformed into an immigrant processing station. During the early 20th century, the west coast saw many Asian immigrants, particularly Chinese, who wanted to come to the country to pursue the “American dream.” Angel Island was their first stop. It was there that it was determined if they’d be allowed to stay or forced to return home. The island was used as an immigration station for 30 years and until 1940 had a somewhat sinister reputation for cruel treatment of Chinese immigrants and the frequent deportations that occurred. In 1940, a fire broke out on the island and the administration building burned down. After the fire, the government chose not to rebuild the station and shut it down.

Camp Reynolds (West Garrison), Angel Island, CA. Photo by Stephen Gross, June 2005
Camp Reynolds (West Garrison), Angel Island, CA.

When World War II began, the military took over Angel Island. It was no longer used to process immigrants, but now served as a home for POWs. Many captured German and Japanese soldiers were held there. The island also became a launch point for soldiers going to fight in the war. Soldiers who were heading off to fight at different sites throughout the world would stop through Angel Island to be processed and would also pass through Angel Island on their way back home.

While the World War ended in 1945, the military character of Angel Island did not. The island became a Nike missile site. The island held many missiles, most of which were kept underground, except when being cleaned or fired. Eventually, in 1962, the Nike missile site on the island was abandoned. The missiles were removed and the site razed.

Angel_Island_featuresThat same year, the island was given to the government of the State of California. The state decided to turn the entire island into a State Park with a Coast Guard station, which is how it is used today. Visitors and residents of San Francisco can reach Angel Island via ferry from San Francisco, Tiburon, and Vallejo, or they can travel by private boat. The island is teeming with outdoor recreational activities, such as 11 campsites, picnic facilities, scooter and Segway rentals, bike rentals and much more. Visitors are also encouraged to bring their own bicycles to the island via the ferry to explore.

A museum was established to celebrate the rich history of this west coast island. Visitors can tour the former U.S. Immigration station to learn about how it served as America’s entry point for many Asian Americans and get a glimpse of their experiences when they arrived there.

Have you visited Angel Island? What do you think about building a state park on an island with such a storied past?