Alabama – Civil War Montgomery

The seven-state Provisional Confederate Congress met for the first time here Feb. 4, 1861, to organize a government, adopt a constitution and elect a provisional president. By the time the Congress adjourned March 21, all was accomplished. Jefferson Davis was elected president and was inaugurated at the Alabama capitol Feb. 18. The expanding Confederate States … Read more

Southern Illinois Civil War – Memorial Day Tradition

Murphysboro LoganGeneral John A. Logan Museum 1613 Edith St, Murphysboro IL 62966 618-684-3455 Museum is devoted to the life of Gen. John A. Logan, a popular politician before the war, good general during the war, and advocate for veterans following the war. He is credited with establishing the Memorial Day tradition. Open Tuesday–Saturday 10 am–4 … Read more

Virginia Valley & Mountains – The Route 340 Corridor: Front Royal

The modern US 340 corridor between US Route 50 and Interstate 64 encompasses some of the most beautiful landscapes and intriguing Civil War history in Virginia. During the war, the territory east of the Massanutten Mountain was connected by a variety of roads, most of them inferior to the “improved” and more famous Valley Pike … Read more

Southside Virginia Civil War – Lynchburg

For more information about historic sites, stop by the Lynchburg Visitor Center, 216 12th St. Union Gen. David Hunter reached the outskirts of Lynchburg June 17, 1864, hoping to capture the important supply and hospital center. Hunter’s advance on Lynchburg followed a decisive victory over Confederates at Piedmont in the Shenandoah Valley two weeks earlier. … Read more

Northwest Missouri Civil War – Kansas City, Lexington, Independence

Kansas City Battle of Westport Visitor center located 6601 Swope Parkway, Kansas City MO 64132 (913) 345-2000 www.battleofwestport.org Westport A 32-mile, 25-stop driving tour guides visitors through this Oct 21–23, 1864, battlefield, now a busy part of Kansas City. The Union victory here proved to be the decisive moment in Gen. Sterling Price’s 1864 Raid … Read more

Louisiana (Civil War) – More Sites

Grant’s Canals Two Louisiana sites commemorate Union Gen. U.S. Grant’s efforts to get at the Confederate stronghold at Vicksburg by digging various canals, trying to manufacture a waterway bypassing the forts there. All these efforts were ultimately failures. Grant’s Canal Park 600 Lake St, Lake Providence LA 71254 318-559-5125 (Byerley House) An attempt by Grant … Read more

Tidewater Virginia – Showdown at Hampton Roads

On March 9, 1862, Hampton Roads was the scene of a terrific engagement, which revolutionized naval warfare. The first battle between ironclad ships, often called the Monitor-Merrimack (Virginia) engagement, is perhaps the most significant naval event of the entire Civil War. This duel is an epic tale that tells how steam-powered iron ships rang the … Read more

Middle Tennessee – More Civil War Sites

Johnsonville Johnsonville State Historic Park New Johnsonville TN 37134 931-535-2789 Confederate Gen. N.B. Forrest attacked a large Union supply base here on the east bank of the Tennessee River Nov. 4–5, 1864, hoping to disrupt Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s activities in Georgia. Forrest set up artillery on the west bank of the river and … Read more

West Virginia Civil War – More Civil War Sites

Martinsburg Civil War Visitor information at 126 E Race St, or call 800-498-2386. Belle Boyd House 126 E Race St 304-264-8801 Restored home of the famous Confederate spy and several area museums, including the Boyd Mason Civil War Museum with much on Lower Valley sites. Gift shop and Civil War information here. Open five days … Read more

Northern Virginia – Manassas and Area

A visitor center is located in an old railroad station in the heart of Manassas and on the site of a critical Civil War rail junction. Two major battles were fought just a few miles north, along a creek known as Bull Run. The visitor center is a good place to get oriented to the … Read more