Andersonville
Andersonville National Historic Site
• 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville GA 31711
• 912-924-0343
Union prisoners began arriving here at the new Camp Sumter from overflowing prisons in Richmond early in 1864. The facility, designed for 10,000, was quickly overwhelmed and overcrowded, creating miserable conditions. Of the more than 32,000 prisoners held here during the camp’s 14-month history, nearly 13,000 died.
The 26.5-acre site of the infamous Civil War prison is outlined and sections of the stockade have been reconstructed. The National Prisoner of War Museum tells the story of Andersonville and other Civil War prisons as well as commemorates the suffering of other American prisoners of war. The Andersonville National Cemetery holds the remains of many of those who died in the prison.
Grounds open daily 8 am–5 pm. Museum open daily 9 am–5 pm. Free.
Athens
Many fine Civil War-era homes remain in this University town. Interactive web tour available.
Double-Barreled Cannon
Manufactured at the Athens Foundry, the unique piece is displayed on the grounds of City Hall.
Athens-area Heartland of the Confederacy Trails
An excellent series of interactive tours features “The Leaders” and “Stoneman’s Raid (1864).” Interactive tours of Athens, Gainesville and Washington also are available on the web.
Augusta and Area
The second oldest city in Georgia (established 1736), Augusta became an important Confederate military manufacturing center supplying gunpowder and armament — not to mention men and military leaders — to the Southern cause.
Augusta Museum of History
• 560 Reynolds St, Augusta GA 30901
• 706-722-8454
A cannon manufactured at the Augusta Arsenal and the Confederate flag that flew over the facility are featured among the many Civil War exhibits. Open 10 am–5 pm Thursday–Saturday; 1–5 pm Sunday. $4/adult.
Confederate Powder Works
• 1717 Goodrich St,
• Augusta GA 30904
Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails sign at the base of the signature 168-foot chimney describes the importance of this site. The 26-building complex is the only industrial complex built from scratch in the Confederacy. It supplied 2,750,000 pounds of powder to the Confederate armed forces and was the second largest such facility in the world at the time. The chimney is the only remaining structure.
US Army Signal Corps Museum at Fort Gordon
• Avenue of the States Drive and 36th Street,
Athens GA 30905
• 706-791-2818
Civil War-related exhibits outline the founding of the signal corps with displays about wig-wag flag, balloon and the telegraphic communications. Open Tuesday–Friday 8 am–4 pm.
Other Augusta sites:
The Augusta Arsenal was seized by state troops after Georgia’s secession and became a vital resource producing weapons and other military equipment for the Confederacy. The grounds of the arsenal are now the campus of Augusta State University (2500 Walton Way, Augusta GA 30904). Some of the Civil War-era buildings remain.
Many Confederate generals including E.P. Alexander and Ambrose R. Wright are buried in Magnolia Cemetery along with the remains of both Union and Confederate soldiers (702 Third St, Augusta GA 30901; 706-821-1746.
Columbus
National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus
• 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus GA 31901
• 706-327-9798
The remains of Confederate ironclad CSS Jackson and gunboat CSS Chattahoochee are featured artifacts in this museum devoted to Civil War navies. Exhibits on famous ironclads USS Monitor and the CSS Albemarle plus uniforms and other artifacts are offered. A detailed timeline exhibit tells well-known and lesser-known but fascinating stories. Open Tuesday–Saturday 10 am–4:30 pm, Sunday–Monday 12:30–4:30 pm. $7.50/adult.
Crawfordville
A.H. Stephens Historic Park
• Alexander Street NW, Crawfordville GA 30631
• 706-456-2602
The restored home of the Confederate vice-president, Liberty Hall, and a museum offering a fine collection of Civil War artifacts are features of this multi-use park. Historic site open Friday–Saturday 9 am–5 pm. $4/adult.
Fitzgerald/Irwinville
Jefferson Davis Memorial Historical Site
• 338 Jeff Davis Park Road, Fitzgerald GA 31750
• 229-831-2335
• Note: This site is now operated by Irwin County. Please call to confirm hours.
A museum, walking trail and monument commemorate the spot where, on May 9, 1865, Confederate president Jefferson Davis finally was captured by Union forces after evacuating the Confederate capital in Richmond on April 2. He was returned to Virginia and imprisoned initially at Fort Monroe, where his cell is preserved. Open Wednesday–Sunday 9 am–5 pm (call first). $4/adult.
The Blue and Gray Museum
• 116 N Johnston St, Fitzgerald GA 31750
• 229-426-5069
Explore the town’s founding by Civil War vets through a film and more than 1,200 artifacts. Open 10 am–4 pm Tuesday–Saturday; 1–5 pm Sunday. $3/adult.
Gainesville
Gen. James Longstreet spent his early and late years here and is buried in Alta Vista Cemetery, 1076 Jesse Jewell Parkway. His homesite is marked with a statue of the general in Park Hill Park on Park Hill Drive off US 129.
Macon
The Cannonball House
• 856 Mulberry St, Macon GA 31201
• 478-745-5982
Struck by a cannon ball during Stoneman’s Raid in 1864. Restored home tours feature period furnishings and Civil War items. Open Monday–Saturday 10 am–5 pm (March–December) opens one hour later weekdays other times. $6/adult.
Washington
Robert Toombs House Historic Site
• 216 E Robert Toombs Ave, Washington GA 30673
• 706-678-2226
One of the leading secessionists, Tombs became the Confederacy’s first Secretary of State, but he resigned shortly thereafter to become a general in the army. One of the best-known names in the ante-bellum South. Visitors may tour the grounds and visit the restored home. Exhibits and a film describe his life. Open 9 am–5 pm Tuesday–Saturday. $3/adult.
West Point
Fort Tyler or the Battle of West Point
• 1111 W Sixth Ave, West Point GA 31833
Battle fought April 16, 1865, one week after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, resulted in the death of 19 of the handful of Confederate soldiers defending Fort Tyler against thousands of Union Gen. James Wilson’s troopers. Nice restoration of the fort with trails.