Trees in Fredericksburg at Chatham Manor.
The Innis House at the Stone Wall where the battle of Fredericksburg happened. Bullet holes can still be seen inside and outside the house.
Recreated earthworks at Spotsylvania Battlefield
The Rising Sun Tavern in Fredericksburg
The Apothecary in Fredericksburg--the 18th Century "Doctor's Office"
Manassas Battlefield and Stone House
Jamestown, Virginia
Parish Church at Jamestown
Ruins of Jamestown
Jamestown Settlement
The Powhatan Indian Village
James Fort
Inside the recreated Church
Jamestown Settlement Ships
Susan Constance
Dad and I on the Susan Constance
April 21 Last night we drove hotel. Our flight left today at 6 a.m. We got up at 4:30 a.m. and went to the airport. We flew to Atlanta and then to Richmond. We got into Richmond at about 1:45 p.m., rented our car and drove directly into Richmond. Our first stop was the Museum and White house of the Confederacy. We went through the museum first.
I was amazed by the collection that the museum had on display. The things that really blew me away were Armistead's sword he used during Pickett's Charge and the battle flag of the 26th North Carolina that was captured by Union Soldiers at Cemetery Ridge. They also had things from the day Robert E. Lee surrendered to Grant (Lee's Coat, sword, and pen he used to sign the surrender document). We also toured the White House of the Confederacy. It was incredible to think that Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, Joe Johnston, Stonewall Jackson and Abraham Lincoln were all in Davis's office there.
When we were done there, dad and I drove out to the Cold Harbor battlefield. Unfortunately, on the way out there it just started pouring. We drove through the battlefield and then started up to Fredericksburg. It took about 45 min. to get there. I wanted to see the Sunken Road first, because I knew that the park service was restoring the Sunken Road area to the way it was during The Civil War. We walked along the road there and then drove to downtown Fredericksburg. We walked along the downtown area and also stopped at Sammy T's for dinner. I had crab cakes. This wouldn't be my last time having Crab cakes in Virginia on this vacation. We walked around downtown until about 8 p.m. and went to the hotel.
April 22 Today we got up and had breakfast at the hotel. At 9 a.m. a man, Chris O'Donnell, met us at the hotel. He gave us a personal tour of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Battlefields. This lasted four hours. It was very nice to have someone go with you in your car and tell you what happened there.
After the tour, we stopped for lunch across from our hotel for lunch. Then, dad wanted to go on the trolley tour of Fredericksburg. I really enjoyed this. The driver took us around Fredericksburg and gave us a highlight of interesting things to see in the downtown area. From this tour, dad and I actually decided to see some interesting places in the historic area of Fredericksburg. At the end of the tour, we went across the Rappahannock River to Chatham Manor. This was Burnside's headquarters during the battle of Fredericksburg. The park actually now has volunteers giving tours of Chatham. This was so enjoyable for me. Last summer I was there, I walked through the house without a tour. I got a lot more out of it this time around.
Next, dad wanted to stop at a stone home that had been standing on the river since the early 19th Century. We walked through there. A man had bought the building six months ago and turned it into a "Civil War Store" and museum. He was still digging out the basement which is maybe fifty yards from the Rappahannock River. There wasn't too much to see in there so we left and drove up to the Kenmore Plantation Home. The home is still being restored. It is in downtown Fredericksburg. Basically, the most interesting things are the ceilings on the inside of the building. They are stucco, but they have very intricate designs on them that look like they are of French origin. I was really impressed with them. I could tell that whoever did them, was a very talented artist. Plus, I had the thought that whoever owned the home at the time these designs were done, was very rich.
When we were finished at the Kenmore home, I wanted to the Chancellorsville tape tour with dad. I was hoping to do the walk from Hazel Grove to Fairview. As we did the tape tour, it started raining. I decided against doing the walk at this point. It was still great to drive in Jackson's steps as he did his flank attack against the Union 11th Corps. When we were finished with this, we drove back to Sophia Street in Fredericksburg for dinner. When we were on our trolley tour, the driver suggested a Seafood place there. This is where we went for dinner. I had crab cake with fried oysters. It was really good. The funny thing about the restaurant, was that everything was on paper plates, cups and bowls. The restaurant was a "bare bones" restaurant, but the food was great. When we were done with dinner, we went back to the hotel, relaxed a little and then went to bed.
April 23 This was the day I had been waiting for! Today would be our 1st Manassas Battlefield Walk. We got up, had breakfast at the hotel, and then left. Dad wanted to stop in downtown Fredericksburg at a Christmas Store to buy something for mom. We walked through Caroline Street, but saw that the store didn't open until 10 a.m. We decided to come back tomorrow. We now left for Manassas. It took us an hour to get there.
When we got to Manassas, I wanted to do the Deep Cut walk. We stopped first at the Visitor's Center. We paid our entrance fee and then drove to the beginning of the Deep Cut Trail. I left dad at the car and walked the deep cut trail. It was really incredible to walk the trail where Porter's men attacked Jackson's line at the railroad cut. I found at the end of the trail that the Deep Cut was partially filled with water. I also saw a deer jumping through the brush and trees while I was doing the walk. I thought it was interesting as I did this walk, that Porter's men, when they did this attack, marched over completely open ground. Today it is filled with trees except at the base of the hill. When we were done, we went back to the Visitor's Center for the 1st Manassas hike.
We got there and waited for a few minutes out on Henry Hill. The Ranger volunteer came out.e gave us a background review of why Manassas Junction was important to both sides--Union and Confederacy. We then walked to the Stone House on what was the Warrenton Turnpike. The ranger then told us about how McDowell's men at the Stone Bridge demonstrated against the Confederates. We then walked over to Matthew's Hill where the Confederates and Union soldiers "met". We saw where the battle first started just south of Sudley Springs Ford. We then walked back to the Stone House. The Ranger told us how the Union Soldiers outflanked the Confederates and pushed them back to Henry Hill. At this point, we walked across the turnpike and up the trail by the Robinson House. It was at this point, the ranger told us, the Louisiana Tigers, held back the Union Charge. One of my favorite bits of information, was that when the Union outflanked the Confederates on Matthew's Hill, McDowell said to his men, "The Day is Won!" Little did he know, Jackson's brigade was behind the trees on Henry Hill. McDowell ordered Rickett's Battery up to the Henry House. These guns were rifled. His battery was now in the line of fire of Jackson's Battery of smooth bore cannons. If McDowell had kept these cannons back over 1,000 yards, Jackson's cannons couldn't have reached them when firing. At this point the ranger took us over to Jackson's line of cannons on Henry Hill. Jackson ordered his men to take Rickett's Battery, which they did. The battle now shifted to Rickett's Battery, being taken and then lost by both sides repeatedly. Eventually, two other brigades arrived at Chinn Ridge and outflanked the Union Soldiers. The Union now retreated across the Stone Bridge. This was a 3 1/2 hour walking tour of the Battlefield and probably one of the most incredible tours I have ever been on.
When we were done with the tour, dad and I took the driving tour of 2nd Manassas. Even though it was supposed to rain during our walking tour, it did not. This was a great day. Since we did not have lunch, I wanted to stop right away for dinner. I saw an Olive Garden on Sudley Road in Manassas, and suggested we stop there. We had dinner and then drove back to Fredericksburg. We went to the downtown area on Caroline Street and had some ice-cream. We then went back to the hotel and called it a night.
April 24 Today we got up and went to church from 9 to 10 a.m. We then drove out to the Wilderness Battlefield, after changing our clothes and checking out of the hotel. At the Wilderness battlefield, we took the Ranger tour of Saunder's Field. The ranger told us about the 140 NY's charge up to Ewell's Earthworks. They were repelled and as they retreated to their line, their own cannons sent an enfilating fire into their lines. They had been outflanked on their right and left flanks. Needless to say, the regiment was decimated. Less than half of these Zouaves made it back to their lines. The ranger now told us about the other stages of the battle. I especially enjoyed hearing about the Tapp Farm. He described how the Texas Brigade wouldn't attack Hancock's overwhelming flank attack until Lee went to the rear. The Texas brigade was virtually annihilated, but managed to halt Hancock's second Corps attack.
When we were finished, we went back to Fredericksburg and toured the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop. This was very fun. This Apothecary was in use during the late 1700's. The tour guide told us about the herbs the "doctor" used. Then they showed us how he used leeches and let blood out of the body and also how the "doctor" did amputations. I really enjoyed this.
From there we went to the Rising Sun Tavern. This was an operating tavern during the 1700's The tour guide showed us how the tavern operated. The most interesting thing that they mentioned was that since they were a proper tavern, no more than five people would sleep in a bed. I thought this was hilarious. Then we went back to the Christmas Store and bought some things for mom and then went back to a pizza place and had some lunch.
From there, we drove to the Spotsylvania Battlefield for the ranger tour of the Bloody Angle. The ranger told us how Hancock's men attacked the angle and captured 4,000 men. I found it interesting that the Stonewall Brigade ceased to exist at this point. Then he walked us to the secondary Confederate earthworks where they fell back to after the initial attack. The Ranger walked us from the secondary works back to the angle telling us about the Confederate Counter Attack by the South Carolinians. He also told us about where they planted their flag at the angle. He also told us about Private Charlie Wilden and how he took his regiment's Confederate flag, wrapped it around his body and led his South Carolina Brigade up to the angle where they pushed out Hancock's men. He also told us about the hand to hand fighting at the angle. When we were finished, dad asked him some questions that were on his mind. The ranger stayed there talking to us for 30 minutes. We then drove down to Ashland to our hotel we'd stay at that night.
We settled down into the hotel and then went to have some dessert. We then went back to the hotel and sat in the hotel's hot tub and then went back up to the room and went to bed.
April 25 We got up this morning, checked out of the hotel and drove to Jamestown. We toured the original Jamestown site and then went to the Jamestown Settlement. We first stopped at the Powhatan Indian Village and walked through it. Then we went to the recreated fort and walked through all the homes/buildings. A man showed us how the matchlock guns were fired during the Jamestown era. We also saw a nail smith making nails. Then we walked down to the three ships. These are built exactly like the ships that brought the English to the Jamestown settlement in 1609. It was a lot of fun to get onto those boats and see how these people would've lived while they were on their voyage from England.
When we were done at the settlement, we got on the Colonial Parkway and drove to Yorktown. We had lunch at a little lunch shop. Both of us had a Crab Cake Sandwich. It was now time to drive back to Richmond and fly home. We flew through Cincinatti and got home at 11:30 p.m.
This was an incredible vacation. I loved all the ranger tours, especially Manassas. I also loved the Apothecary. Fredericksburg is a great town to visit, especially if you love history. I can't wait to go back again!
Parish Church at Jamestown
Ruins of JamestownJamestown Settlement
The Powhatan Indian Village
James Fort
Inside the recreated Church
Jamestown Settlement Ships
Susan Constance
Dad and I on the Susan ConstanceApril 21 Last night we drove hotel. Our flight left today at 6 a.m. We got up at 4:30 a.m. and went to the airport. We flew to Atlanta and then to Richmond. We got into Richmond at about 1:45 p.m., rented our car and drove directly into Richmond. Our first stop was the Museum and White house of the Confederacy. We went through the museum first.
I was amazed by the collection that the museum had on display. The things that really blew me away were Armistead's sword he used during Pickett's Charge and the battle flag of the 26th North Carolina that was captured by Union Soldiers at Cemetery Ridge. They also had things from the day Robert E. Lee surrendered to Grant (Lee's Coat, sword, and pen he used to sign the surrender document). We also toured the White House of the Confederacy. It was incredible to think that Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, Joe Johnston, Stonewall Jackson and Abraham Lincoln were all in Davis's office there.
When we were done there, dad and I drove out to the Cold Harbor battlefield. Unfortunately, on the way out there it just started pouring. We drove through the battlefield and then started up to Fredericksburg. It took about 45 min. to get there. I wanted to see the Sunken Road first, because I knew that the park service was restoring the Sunken Road area to the way it was during The Civil War. We walked along the road there and then drove to downtown Fredericksburg. We walked along the downtown area and also stopped at Sammy T's for dinner. I had crab cakes. This wouldn't be my last time having Crab cakes in Virginia on this vacation. We walked around downtown until about 8 p.m. and went to the hotel.
April 22 Today we got up and had breakfast at the hotel. At 9 a.m. a man, Chris O'Donnell, met us at the hotel. He gave us a personal tour of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Battlefields. This lasted four hours. It was very nice to have someone go with you in your car and tell you what happened there.
After the tour, we stopped for lunch across from our hotel for lunch. Then, dad wanted to go on the trolley tour of Fredericksburg. I really enjoyed this. The driver took us around Fredericksburg and gave us a highlight of interesting things to see in the downtown area. From this tour, dad and I actually decided to see some interesting places in the historic area of Fredericksburg. At the end of the tour, we went across the Rappahannock River to Chatham Manor. This was Burnside's headquarters during the battle of Fredericksburg. The park actually now has volunteers giving tours of Chatham. This was so enjoyable for me. Last summer I was there, I walked through the house without a tour. I got a lot more out of it this time around.
Next, dad wanted to stop at a stone home that had been standing on the river since the early 19th Century. We walked through there. A man had bought the building six months ago and turned it into a "Civil War Store" and museum. He was still digging out the basement which is maybe fifty yards from the Rappahannock River. There wasn't too much to see in there so we left and drove up to the Kenmore Plantation Home. The home is still being restored. It is in downtown Fredericksburg. Basically, the most interesting things are the ceilings on the inside of the building. They are stucco, but they have very intricate designs on them that look like they are of French origin. I was really impressed with them. I could tell that whoever did them, was a very talented artist. Plus, I had the thought that whoever owned the home at the time these designs were done, was very rich.
When we were finished at the Kenmore home, I wanted to the Chancellorsville tape tour with dad. I was hoping to do the walk from Hazel Grove to Fairview. As we did the tape tour, it started raining. I decided against doing the walk at this point. It was still great to drive in Jackson's steps as he did his flank attack against the Union 11th Corps. When we were finished with this, we drove back to Sophia Street in Fredericksburg for dinner. When we were on our trolley tour, the driver suggested a Seafood place there. This is where we went for dinner. I had crab cake with fried oysters. It was really good. The funny thing about the restaurant, was that everything was on paper plates, cups and bowls. The restaurant was a "bare bones" restaurant, but the food was great. When we were done with dinner, we went back to the hotel, relaxed a little and then went to bed.
April 23 This was the day I had been waiting for! Today would be our 1st Manassas Battlefield Walk. We got up, had breakfast at the hotel, and then left. Dad wanted to stop in downtown Fredericksburg at a Christmas Store to buy something for mom. We walked through Caroline Street, but saw that the store didn't open until 10 a.m. We decided to come back tomorrow. We now left for Manassas. It took us an hour to get there.
When we got to Manassas, I wanted to do the Deep Cut walk. We stopped first at the Visitor's Center. We paid our entrance fee and then drove to the beginning of the Deep Cut Trail. I left dad at the car and walked the deep cut trail. It was really incredible to walk the trail where Porter's men attacked Jackson's line at the railroad cut. I found at the end of the trail that the Deep Cut was partially filled with water. I also saw a deer jumping through the brush and trees while I was doing the walk. I thought it was interesting as I did this walk, that Porter's men, when they did this attack, marched over completely open ground. Today it is filled with trees except at the base of the hill. When we were done, we went back to the Visitor's Center for the 1st Manassas hike.
We got there and waited for a few minutes out on Henry Hill. The Ranger volunteer came out.e gave us a background review of why Manassas Junction was important to both sides--Union and Confederacy. We then walked to the Stone House on what was the Warrenton Turnpike. The ranger then told us about how McDowell's men at the Stone Bridge demonstrated against the Confederates. We then walked over to Matthew's Hill where the Confederates and Union soldiers "met". We saw where the battle first started just south of Sudley Springs Ford. We then walked back to the Stone House. The Ranger told us how the Union Soldiers outflanked the Confederates and pushed them back to Henry Hill. At this point, we walked across the turnpike and up the trail by the Robinson House. It was at this point, the ranger told us, the Louisiana Tigers, held back the Union Charge. One of my favorite bits of information, was that when the Union outflanked the Confederates on Matthew's Hill, McDowell said to his men, "The Day is Won!" Little did he know, Jackson's brigade was behind the trees on Henry Hill. McDowell ordered Rickett's Battery up to the Henry House. These guns were rifled. His battery was now in the line of fire of Jackson's Battery of smooth bore cannons. If McDowell had kept these cannons back over 1,000 yards, Jackson's cannons couldn't have reached them when firing. At this point the ranger took us over to Jackson's line of cannons on Henry Hill. Jackson ordered his men to take Rickett's Battery, which they did. The battle now shifted to Rickett's Battery, being taken and then lost by both sides repeatedly. Eventually, two other brigades arrived at Chinn Ridge and outflanked the Union Soldiers. The Union now retreated across the Stone Bridge. This was a 3 1/2 hour walking tour of the Battlefield and probably one of the most incredible tours I have ever been on.
When we were done with the tour, dad and I took the driving tour of 2nd Manassas. Even though it was supposed to rain during our walking tour, it did not. This was a great day. Since we did not have lunch, I wanted to stop right away for dinner. I saw an Olive Garden on Sudley Road in Manassas, and suggested we stop there. We had dinner and then drove back to Fredericksburg. We went to the downtown area on Caroline Street and had some ice-cream. We then went back to the hotel and called it a night.
April 24 Today we got up and went to church from 9 to 10 a.m. We then drove out to the Wilderness Battlefield, after changing our clothes and checking out of the hotel. At the Wilderness battlefield, we took the Ranger tour of Saunder's Field. The ranger told us about the 140 NY's charge up to Ewell's Earthworks. They were repelled and as they retreated to their line, their own cannons sent an enfilating fire into their lines. They had been outflanked on their right and left flanks. Needless to say, the regiment was decimated. Less than half of these Zouaves made it back to their lines. The ranger now told us about the other stages of the battle. I especially enjoyed hearing about the Tapp Farm. He described how the Texas Brigade wouldn't attack Hancock's overwhelming flank attack until Lee went to the rear. The Texas brigade was virtually annihilated, but managed to halt Hancock's second Corps attack.
When we were finished, we went back to Fredericksburg and toured the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop. This was very fun. This Apothecary was in use during the late 1700's. The tour guide told us about the herbs the "doctor" used. Then they showed us how he used leeches and let blood out of the body and also how the "doctor" did amputations. I really enjoyed this.
From there we went to the Rising Sun Tavern. This was an operating tavern during the 1700's The tour guide showed us how the tavern operated. The most interesting thing that they mentioned was that since they were a proper tavern, no more than five people would sleep in a bed. I thought this was hilarious. Then we went back to the Christmas Store and bought some things for mom and then went back to a pizza place and had some lunch.
From there, we drove to the Spotsylvania Battlefield for the ranger tour of the Bloody Angle. The ranger told us how Hancock's men attacked the angle and captured 4,000 men. I found it interesting that the Stonewall Brigade ceased to exist at this point. Then he walked us to the secondary Confederate earthworks where they fell back to after the initial attack. The Ranger walked us from the secondary works back to the angle telling us about the Confederate Counter Attack by the South Carolinians. He also told us about where they planted their flag at the angle. He also told us about Private Charlie Wilden and how he took his regiment's Confederate flag, wrapped it around his body and led his South Carolina Brigade up to the angle where they pushed out Hancock's men. He also told us about the hand to hand fighting at the angle. When we were finished, dad asked him some questions that were on his mind. The ranger stayed there talking to us for 30 minutes. We then drove down to Ashland to our hotel we'd stay at that night.
We settled down into the hotel and then went to have some dessert. We then went back to the hotel and sat in the hotel's hot tub and then went back up to the room and went to bed.
April 25 We got up this morning, checked out of the hotel and drove to Jamestown. We toured the original Jamestown site and then went to the Jamestown Settlement. We first stopped at the Powhatan Indian Village and walked through it. Then we went to the recreated fort and walked through all the homes/buildings. A man showed us how the matchlock guns were fired during the Jamestown era. We also saw a nail smith making nails. Then we walked down to the three ships. These are built exactly like the ships that brought the English to the Jamestown settlement in 1609. It was a lot of fun to get onto those boats and see how these people would've lived while they were on their voyage from England.
When we were done at the settlement, we got on the Colonial Parkway and drove to Yorktown. We had lunch at a little lunch shop. Both of us had a Crab Cake Sandwich. It was now time to drive back to Richmond and fly home. We flew through Cincinatti and got home at 11:30 p.m.
This was an incredible vacation. I loved all the ranger tours, especially Manassas. I also loved the Apothecary. Fredericksburg is a great town to visit, especially if you love history. I can't wait to go back again!
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