Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park

to say they were heroic and gallant overlooks the foolishness of their leader.

Having been able to visit for only a short time, I listed this as a place I want to visit. My wife and I were only able to visit the museum and sunken road at the base of Marye’s Heights. There is so much more to see from Chatham on the other side of the river to Lee’s heights to the south of Fredericksburg proper.

This is a great example of what can happe to an historic area if development is not kept in check. The small sections of the battlefield that remain are surrounded by developments and commerce. Obviously, we can’t stop forward motion nor should we always do so, but it would be smart to try to save some of these areas for future generations. Many died here and, unfortunately, more have no idea of what happened here in 1862 and 1863.

This is just one part of 4 parks in the Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania NMP. Other areas closeby include Chancellorsville (ten miles to the west), Spotsylvania Courthouse, and the Wilderness. All were important battles of the Civil War.