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We begin at 10 with the most notorious Confederate prisoner-of-war camp of all— Andersonville! Andersonville , located in the state of Georgia , is the site of the infamous Confederate prisoner-of-war camp. There were military prisons and Andersonville was both the largest and the most notorious.

Of the 45, Union soldiers imprisoned there, almost 13, died. Kellog was 20 years old when he walked through the gates of Andersonville prison. He and his comrades had been captured during a bloody battle at Plymouth, North Carolina. In the depths of Georgia, they discovered that their hardships were far from over. Robert Kellog described the conditions of the camp. Andersonville is the only national park to serve as a memorial to Americans held as prisoners of war.

Andersonville National Historic Site preserves the site of the largest of the many Confederate military prisons that were established during the Civil War.

In late , the Confederacy found that it needed to construct additional prisoner of war camps to house captured Union soldiers waiting to be exchanged. As leaders discussed where to place these new camps, former Georgia governor, Major General Howell Cobb stepped forward to suggest the interior of his home state. If you have a special interest in the Civil War, however, you can easily spend your entire day at the Andersonville National Historic Site.

Before you travel to Andersonville, however, you may want to learn a little bit more about it. In this article, I will also share some great book recommendations. In the case of Andersonville, I recommend the following:. So much history, so little time! In , over 23, soldiers fought here. It was a turning point of the war in the West.

The Federal victory there allowed the Union to maintain a strong hold on Missouri for the rest of the war and use it as a base of operations for later advances into Arkansas.

Its exhibits were completely updated in If you google a list of the most important Civil War sites then I have no doubt that it will look different though some of their important places will appear on my list too. And with that in mind we move on to the number eight site on my list — Brices Cross Road in Mississippi.

Shelby Foote , who wrote a magnificent three volume history of the Civil War , said that the great conflict produced two geniuses. One was Abraham Lincoln.

The other was that fascinating figure whom I mentioned above. How many enlisted men rise from the rank of private to the rank of lieutenant general? His name was Nathan Bedford Forrest. Forrest had memorials erected to him across America, especially in the Southern states. His name has been given to a county, city, park, road, and several high schools. As Denis Showalter notes:.

He understood how best to balance mounted and dismounted action, defense and attack, commitment and pursuit. Whatever his issues of self-control behind the lines or in personal combat, Forrest never let emotion overcome him in conducting a battle. He defeated a much larger Union force and secured supply lines between Nashville and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Hurst restores this legendary figure to one of human dimensions. Believe it or not, I was one of those guys who sat in class taking notes and, when the professor threw out the name of what sounded like an interesting book, I not only wrote it down, I went out and purchased it.

No history of this gifted military strategist would be complete without mentioning his role in the massacre of several hundred Union soldiers at Fort Pillow. In April , Forrest led his troops to what came to be known as the Fort Pillow attack , where his men killed as many as Union soldiers, most of whom were Black. According to eyewitnesses, Confederates murdered Union prisoners, including some who were wounded, after the fort had been taken.

Despite the carnage, Fort Pillow was of little tactical significance and General Forrest abandoned the fort the next day. Ward depicts the horrors of guerrilla warfare and the pent-up bigotry and rage that found release that bloody April day, producing a detailed and complex portrait of an event that continues to spark controversy. It resulted in the greatest victory for the Confederates in the Western theatre of the war and was the second bloodiest battle of the entire war, with 16, Union and 18, Confederate casualties.

And it occurred at a time when the Confederates were meeting with defeat at Vicksburg in the West and Gettysburg in the East. At Chickamauga, the Union Army was saved from complete annihilation by the stubborn defense of General George Thomas and his soldiers. A new leading actor, by the name of Ulysses S. Grant , was about to take the field. The battered Union forces were reorganized under the leadership of Ulysses S. These victories opened the west to Union forces.

Today you can relive part of this exciting history at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. The center is located at the north end of Chickamauga National Military Park. Inside are museum exhibits on the Battle of Chickamauga and the Campaign for Chattanooga. One of the greatest chroniclers of this conflict was Shelby Foote. His three-volume history of the Civil War is, in my humble opinion, unsurpassed. Foote served as tour guide that day for a very special guest—none other than President Jimmy Carter.

Walker is a gifted writer who uses primary sources skillfully to take his readers into the hearts and minds of the everyday soldiers. Especially moving are the letters, diaries, and other information the author uses to recount the terrible toll this conflict took on the soldiers and families of the 57th Georgia infantry.

On July 21, , two armies clashed for the first time on the fields overlooking Bull Run. The First Manassas or First Battle of Bull Run resulted in thousands of lives lost and is referred to as the first major land battle of the American Civil war. Beauregard , along a small river known as Bull Run. Jackson managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat just when it appeared that all was lost for the Confederates.

The Confederate victory gave the South a surge of confidence and shocked many in the North, who realized the war would not be won as easily as they had hoped. Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer! The Confederates named the first battle after the town of Manassas. The Union named it Bull Run after a stream running through the battlefield area. There were actually two battles fought there. Lee decided to strike first. Manassas National Battlefield Park , located in Virginia , encompasses nearly 5, acres of land and includes more than 40 miles of hiking trails.

The park has developed a series of loop trails that traverse key areas of the First and Second Manassas Battlefields. Many of these recommended routes include trailside interpretive markers describing the battle action that occurred in that area and highlight the experiences of soldiers and civilians alike.

It was Robert E. On April 7th, , the battle was fought and the resulting 23, casualties were five times the number of the First Battle of Bull Run in July of Also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing , it allowed Union troops to penetrate the Confederate interior.

The battle pitted Union General Ulysses S. Johnston, however, intercepted the Federals 22 miles northeast of Corinth at Pittsburg Landing in an attack which totally took Grant by surprise. Grant found himself completely caught off guard by this surprise attack orchestrated by Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston. On April 6, , the first day of the battle was a difficult one for the Union. Grant suffered heavy losses.

The bullet severed an artery and the commander bled to death. Despite having everything go wrong for him on that first day, Grant ordered a counterattack on April 7th, which drove the Confederates from the field. They were forced to fall back. Their new commander, General Pierre G.

Beauregard , decided that the essential arithmetic favored the Union. He ordered a withdrawal. It doomed the Confederate military initiative in the West. It also provided the Union with a much-needed boost in morale given Robert E. So many books have been written about the Civil War and the various battles that took place. Of course, the big three authors when it comes to war are, in my humble opinion, Bruce Catton , Shelby Foote and James M.

What these three have written are the best collections of books encompassing the war as a whole. My personal favorite is Shelby Foote.

I have read his fabulous three volume history of the Civil War—twice! To gain an understanding of this battle, its strategic importance, and how it influenced the outcome of the war, I recommend:. At the Shiloh Battlefield and the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center there are exhibits spaces which show visitors the weapons of war, the people who used those weapons, and the effects of their use.

Four battles, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and the Wilderness were fought here. The Battle of Fredericksburg was one of the largest and deadliest battles of the Civil War with almost 20, casualties on both sides. It ended in a victory for the Confederacy. The bloody Battle of the Wilderness , in which no side could claim victory, marked the first stage of a major Union offensive toward the Confederate capital of Richmond. This was the first battle in which Union Commander Ulysses S.

Grant faced off against Confederate Commander Robert E. Grant did not intend to proceed that way.

Top 10 American Civil War sites | Historic USA travel inspiration – Top Civil War Sites in America

From the place where the first shots best civil war sites in the south fired to battlefields, cemeteries and a legendary submarine, delve into Civil War history by visiting sites across South Carolina. Here are 10 not-to-miss points of interest and beat along with tips for planning your trip.

Where: Charleston Harbor, accessible only by boat. Check website for schedule. History: When the Confederacy fired on Fort Sumter on April 12,it sparked a war that soth changed the ideal of American freedom. A visitor education center, museum and exhibits offer an overview of the history of Charleston and Fort Sumter. Rangers are available to answer questions. Check out the massive cannons, walk through old passageways and imagine what life was like for the men stationed there years ago.

If you visit: The site, administered by the National Park Service, offers a variety of tours for adults and kids. Bring a water bottle, sunscreen and insect repellent. Don’t miss the “Bench by the Road,” placed behind Fort Moultrie by the Toni Morrison Society to mark the waterway that brought almost half of all enslaved Africans to America. History: On Feb. Hunleyslipped into Charleston Harbor, its Confederate crew hand-cranking the vessel toward Union ships /19453.txt the port.

The Hunley then vanished and was not seen for more than years when it was discovered and raised from its watery resting place.

Sifes you visit: Visitors to the Conservation Center can see the submarine, along with fascinating artifacts found onboard during excavation. Through exhibits and films, learn about the history of the Hunley and its recovery. Tours besst offered Saturdays and Sundays; order tickets online in advance or at the door.

History: Founded in the s, best civil war sites in the south Charleston Museum features exhibits covering a wide variety of Charleston and Lowcountry history, including a fascinating look at how the city of Charleston survived the Civil War and what life was like for the people who lived through it, both free and enslaved.

If you go: Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at the museum website. History : Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston is the final resting place of 2, Civil War veterans, 14 signers of the Ordinance of Secession, and 84 Confederate soldiers whose remains were moved from the Gettysburg battlefield in Pennsylvania. De France, Parris Island. Exhibits highlight the November battle, Union occupation and the rich African-American wartime experience. If you visit: Pick up a driving tour map of the base, which includes a stop at the far southern tip of the best civil war sites in the south where visitors get a view of the site of the naval battle.

Note: Civiil pass security at the depot gate, prepare to bet your driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Present a copy of your rental agreement if you are driving sourh rental car.

Confederates at best civil war sites in the south swampy Salkehatchie River held ln Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s advance into South Carolina for two days, Feb. Part of the state park here sltes the battle and features a trail that circles Confederate earthworks just above the river. If you visit: Scheduled daily tours and prearranged guided tours are available for a small fee.

Visitors may take a self-guided tour by reading the waysides sohth throughout the park at no charge. The relic room at Rivers Bridge includes interpretive panels that tell more about the battle and the loss of life at the Soutg of I Bridge.

Sherman’s troops arrived. Sherman’s artillery caused some damage to the new building. Six bronze stars mark the spots where shells struck the building Feb.

If you visit: Tours offer a wealth of information and are best civil war sites in the south Monday-Saturday, year-round except for holidays. The tour office also has a scavenger hunt for kids that gets top reviews. If you xites Map out time to douth through both museums, which are housed in a historic mill in Columbia’s Vista district.

Civil War History: 10 Sites to Explore. Chrysti Shain. Discover writers share all of the places, activities and adventure that South Carolina has to offer. Fort Moultrie on Souyh Island is a series of fortresses erected to protect Charleston. Kids love trying out the hand-cranked motor in the life-sized replica of the H. The Civil War exhibit at the Charleston Best civil war sites in the south explores the city’s siege and the stories of those who lived through it.

Hundreds of Confederate soldiers are buried at Charleston’s Magnolia Cemetery. Find the six bronze stars on the walls адрес the State House that mark hits by Union cannonballs during the Civil War. Related Articles Itineraries. History and Science Combine at the the H. Hunley, a Civil War Submarine in Charleston. Explore Fort Sumter National Monument. All Rights Reserved.