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Touring Virginia’s and West Virginia’s Civil War Sites John F. Blair, Publisher The names still resonate after more than 130 years. Bethel. Manassas. The Shenandoah Valley Campaign. The Peninsula Campaign. The Seven Days. Fredericksburg. Chancellorsville. The Wilderness. Cold Harbor. The Crater. Appomattox. In the minds of many people, Virginia is the Civil War. It is the state most closely associated with Confederate luminaries Lee, Jackson, Stuart, and Mosby and Union leaders Grant, Sheridan, Burnside, McClellan, and Pope. Virginia was literally torn apart by the war. When the general assembly voted the state out of the Union, citizens west of the Shenandoah Valley voted themselves out of Virginia. But such was their native pride that when it came time to name the newest Union state, they chose from the heart—West Virginia. The 17 tours in this book cover all the significant Civil War sites in both states. You may have read about such battlegrounds as Philippi, Rich Mountain, and Sewell Mountain without knowing exactly what they are. Touring Virginia's and West Virginia's Civil War Sites will take you to them. Included here are the sites where the first soldiers from both North and South died. You'll also visit the places where the Confederacy's greatest heroes were born, grew up, fought, were wounded, and were buried. Of special interest are the numerous small battlefields that are not part of the national-parks system, whether administered by state or local agencies or held in private hands.
Reviews “Johnson's writing style is engaging without being simplistic and he takes the pains to write excellent directions to the many Civil War sites in both Virginias. Thankfully, he groups the many sites by geography instead of time frame. While the better-known sites are covered (Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Wilderness, Chancellorsville, Richmond, Petersburg, both Bull Run battles, Appamattox, etc.), Johnson also covers lesser-known events (Saltville, Mine Run, Chantilly, etc.). Doing this gives the reader a better appreciation of the quantity of Civil War engagements in the area and also makes the reader aware of sites the typical person may miss. All in all, an excellent and highly recommended read!”
Links Visit Clint Johnson’s Web site at http://www.thepoliticallyincorrectguidetothesouth.com/. Also by Clint Johnson: Click here to browse more books in John F. Blair, Publisher’s Touring the Backroads™ series.
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