ACW Fifteen Min. From Home

[deadwoodgultch]

Chuck & Chris,

All of the below took place about an hour south of where you grew up, all within 15 min. from my front door. The actions below took place in the spring of 1864. As you know much more took place throughout the war, in this area. Wilderness 30 min., Spotsy. 25min., Yellow Tavern 25 min.. GAC spent much time in this area as you know.

Massaponax Church – Church still stands near where the Union high command met after moving through Spotsylvania Court House. Famous photos by Timothy O'Sullivan of Union generals in action were made here.

Plantations on Guinea Station Road – The Union army march took them past fine homes. The current tour finds things much the same. Trails wayside.

Guinea Station – The route of the Union march passed this, the site of Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson's death a year earlier. Very nice, quiet national park site here.

Bethel Church – Federal headquarters located here May 22-23. Trails sign at original church.

Bowling Green – Caroline County seat disrupted as Union army moved through. Trails sign at the courthouse.

Milford Station – Union cavalry, screening an infantry corps, caught up with Confederate infantry here May 21 after the stalemate in the lines at Spotsylvania, forcing Lee to move to defend Hanover Junction at the North Anna River.

Carmel Church – Streams of the Union army gathered here as their commanders prepared for the push to the North Anna River.

North Anna River Battlefield (Ox Ford) – A Hanover County park offers an interpreted walking trail among some nicely preserved Confederate earthworks on the south side of the river. Good stop midway through the campaign (May 24-25). Located on Route 684 west of US Route 1. Tour information available at the Fredericksburg and Richmond national parks and the Ashland Visitor Center.

Hanover Junction – Vital crossing of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac and the Virginia Central railroads that Lee was trying to defend at the North Anna. The two lines still cross here.

Regards,

Tom

[quincannon]

Tom: If you wish to go exploring and can get access to A. P. Hill there are two places there that would spark your interest.

1) Training Areas 10-11-12 and 15 in the northern most part of the post on the west side of Highway 301 are full of trenches used by Jackson's Corps in the winter of 62-63. Just off post along US 17 between Moss Neck and Olney Corner is the sight of the famous Snowball fight during that same period.

2) I think you know where the old village of Mica is almost dead center of the west side of post. There is a small road leading northeast out of Mica that goes toward the lake. Along it you will find Liberty Church where at least according to legend both Stuart and Jackson attended services.

You can wonder around those trenches for hours - very well preserved

[deadwoodgultch]

Been to the church, they even have services there from time to time.

[Beth]

How far are you from Ferry Farm? My niece is the collections manager there and hopefully one of these days we will get there.

Beth

[deadwoodgultch]

Beth,

45 min. Washington's "original" boyhood home is also 45 min., in Westmoreland County as is R.E. Lee's boyhood home place.  Both on the south side of the Rappahannock river.

Regards,
Tom