Visit Our Battlefields

BATTLEFIELDS of the Civil War exist in 32 states. The total number of battlefields is a staggering 384. Principal battles were fought in 26 states, and eight states had 15 or more battles. Virginia had 123 battles where Union and Confederate soldiers fought, bled, and died - the most of any state. The battle between the North and the South from 1861 to 1865 included about 10,500 armed conflicts. From Fort Sumter to Vicksburg; from Gettysburg to Appomattox; the War Between the States changed our nation forever.

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Civil War battlefields are some of our nation's most scenic and yet hollowed grounds. Clashing convictions of the Blue and the Gray - and the determination to defend them - cost the nation some 620,000 lives. However, the values tested and clarified in the Civil War are part of what binds us together as a nation today.

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Visiting a battlefield enables us to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors. It also reminds us of a nation ripped apart by divided loyalties. Further, being in the midst of a Civil War battlefield causes most visitors to experience an emotional empathy with those who fought there. But, perhaps the greatest thing we can gain from visiting a battlefield is the realization that freedom for everyone came at a high price.

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Battlefield visits are popular with people of all ages. A day trip to a nearby battlefield works well for many families. On other occasions, people may desire to arrange vacations in order to make a stopover at one or more battlefields. For those who are particularly fond of Civil War history, extended visits - with guided tours - are available. Some may even be scheduled over a three to four day time period.

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When considering leisure options for a day, a week-end, or a vacation, visiting a Civil War battlefield is a great choice.

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The photo above was taken at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield near Republic, Mo.