VA Civil War Tour

[Sherman]

Great idea Bruce - I'm taking the class 10 Jun!

I talked to the nice class leader lady person and she said I could sign up last minute. But I would only do that if weather is severe clear. So I won't decide before about 6/7 - unless I truck it out there.

If the weather is good I'm making every effort to come out. I would love to ride with a local and see the battlefields.

Bruce

 

[JimLor]

Bruce, staying with the in-laws Sat night (they live near Frederick) and won't be able to tour on the 11th.

That said, it would be great to have another FJR in the class. Buddy of mine and toophast are coming and one of the instructors rides an FJR. If you don't know, as an FJR rider you'll get a refund of $50 after the class!

I'm going to be on my own this Saturday - anyone have any ideas for a ride????

 

[galxy5]

JimLor,,

Battleground tour is just what I've been thinking ,,

I stayed at the Bull Runn Rec park during Rolling Thunder ,, next to Manassas ,, and got me thinking about touring the Battle sites ,

let me know when you wanna go !!!!

 

[JimLor]

Tell ya Gary, there are a butt load (that's a lot) of battlefields to tour. A decent grouping is Fredericksburg 1862/Chancellorsville 1863/Wilderness1864/Spotsylvania 1864. Probably F and C in one day and W and S the other. Big ones would be Antietam 1862 and Gettysburg 1863. Do A one day and G the next. Yeah, I'd really like to take a weekend or two and do this. Will work out some dates for folks to bite on.

How was Rolling Thunder? I have to be honest, while I support the idea wholeheartedly, I'm not much on crowds.

 

[FJR Gary]

Jim,

I passed the exit for Apppomattox Courthouse (Rt. 460 I think) on my way back from so. VA Monday afternoon. Always wanted to go there, but was tired and wanted to get home.

I think you could probably do Antietam and Gettysburg in the same day. They're not that far apart.

 

[JimLor]

Good idea Gary - Petersburg and then Appomattox would make a good day. Yeah, you could do both Gburg and Ant in a day, but I think you'd be shortchanging one or the other. But, it can be done.

 

[wheatonFJR]

...I think you could probably do Antietam and Gettysburg in the same day. They're not that far apart.

Peanut gallery here :

I would call THAT the "whirlwind tour". Same kinda tour my wife would like...get out, look at a few markers and leave

I would spend a whole day at each of those...so much "rode" on those two battles, so much to see...

I agree about Petersburg & Appomatox - if you took the quick tour...

Tell me shut up - I'm outta here

 

[JimLor]

I always try and "reward" Lorie for suffering with me on the bike. Example, Sat we rode Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. But, started with the Chatham mansion first (Union arty stationed there on Stafford Heights during the battle (Fredericksburg)) and ended with lunch at the Inn at Kelly's Ford.

TRIP 1: I think a pretty good day (trace the last months of the war) would be to start at Petersburg then ride west to Appomattox Courthouse. At Appomattox there are a couple of nice B&Bs that would provide a nice end to the day.

TRIP 2: As to Antietam/Gettysburg - I would suggest Antietam first (took place 1st and was Lee's first foray up north). That is actually a pretty easy and relatively compact battlefield to tour. The action, and one of the mistakes by the Union, proceeded from the right flank in the morning, center a little later, ending with the right flank in the PM. It would be make for an easy day. We could ride to Gettysburg that evening (not much in Antietam besides the battlefield) and if folks wanted the less expensive route we could camp Sat night. Or if folks were feeling like supporting the local economy, there are plenty of B&Bs and hotel/motels. Lorie and I stayed a night at the Cashtown Inn. In the movie "Gettysburg" DH Hill is standing on the porch waving to Lee as he rides by. We stayed in Hill's room (he'd already left). It sits on the route the Confederate forces (part of 'em) used to get to Gettysburg, and a nice place!

TRIP 3: Fredericksburg/Chancellorsville and Wilderness/Spotsylvania. 1st two Dec 1862 and May 1863 - second 2 1864. To be honest, we could "see" all in one day. They are all within an hour's ride. In fact, "Wilderness" more or less includes Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania. It would certainly be an early and a full day, but it could be done.

TRIP 4: McClellan's 1862 Penninsular Campaign. Includes action at Norfolk, Ft. Monroe, Yorktown, and Williamsburg - could also visit Cold Harbor from Grant's 1864 campaign - his biggest mistake.

TRIP 5: Manassas (Bull Run) 1 and 2 and Jackson's Shennondoah Valley campaign to include Harper's Ferry - pretty neat little town.

Time of year - well, gotta tell you that for #1, 3, 4and 5 it's pretty hot/humid in VA during the summertime. The best months just passed or are coming in Sep/Oct. I am more than willing to do 1 or 2 this summer if other folks want to. And really for #2 the summer is pretty hot/humid.

I would suggest Antietam/Gettysburg as the first event for a Sat/Sun. Folks could certainly do the whole weekend or join for one day or the other. Anniversary of Gettysburg is 2,3,and 4 July and there will be hundreds of billions of people there - I hate crowds and would suggest we look at later in July.

I know it's tough to get agreement amongst folks this way, but what do you all think and what would you all like to do?

Jim

 

[JimLor]

:huh: Anyone out there?