Four battles took place within a 15-mile area near Fredericksburg, Virginia, The Battle of Fredericksburg, there were two separate battles in 1862 & 1863, The Wilderness-1864, Spotsylvania-1864, and Chancellorsville-1863. More than 100,000 lives were lost in both battles.
Tours are offered of the battlefield by volunteer guides and park rangers. During high visitor season (usually summer and fall and weekends) regularly scheduled tours are offered. They are free.
When we visited, the tours had different themes. We took the tour that focused on the Sunken Road. It followed the actual Sunken Road and might be possible for someone in a wheelchair.
A lot of history was offered on the tour including information about the first meeting of Generals Lee and Grant which took place at The Wilderness. We learned about the difficulties President Lincoln had with some of his generals including McClellan and Burnside.
Fredericksburg itself was plundered by Union troops in retaliation for the decimation that was inflicted on their army by Confederate snipers. More than 8,000 Union soldiers were killed trying to cross 50 yards below the Sunken Road. The population of Fredericksburg didn’t return to the Civil War level until the 1930s.
A lot of history was offered on the tour including information about the first meeting of Generals Lee and Grant which took place at The Wilderness. We learned about the difficulties President Lincoln had with some of his generals including McClellan and Burnside.
Fredericksburg itself was plundered by Union troops in retaliation for the decimation that was inflicted on their army by Confederate snipers. More than 8,000 Union soldiers were killed trying to cross 50 yards below the Sunken Road. The population of Fredericksburg didn’t return to the Civil War level until the 1930s.
wowzers! 'tis sad to know'f all the battles fought 'n lives lost there. i wonder if'n one can feel the presence'f those who fell? i'd surely need a wheelchair fer such'n adventure, lol.
ReplyDeletevery informative piece, my friend ~ big hugs!
There definitely is a feeling of sadness at battlefields like this for all the young lives lost. I am not particularly sensitive to spirits so have never had an experience but I do get a heavy heart. It does indeed involve a lot of walking but there are paved paths for those who can't walk.
DeleteGood article. We've visited a lot of battlefields in Va and Md, but we didn't get the chance to visit this one while in Fredericksburg a few years back. We're actually looking to go back hopefully this summer...if so would like to take this tour. Thanks for the information
ReplyDeleteIt is worth visiting, taking the docent tour was so informative. He was a volunteer who came from Indiana I believe.
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