October 15 – 17, 2019: We picked up where we left off last Spring with visiting Civil War sites. We headed up to Gettysburg, PA on a rainy morning and then onto Harper’s Ferry for the night. The next day we visited Harper’s Ferry and popped up to Antietam Battlefield before heading back to Virginia. Will and Chrissy live only about 15mintues from Manassas where we spent a lovely morning learning about both Battles of Bull Run and taking Stitch for a walk.
Gettysburg, PA: Gettysburg Visitor’s Center is by for the most comprehensive visitor’s center we’ve visited with multiple media experiences to understand much of the Civil War. The tour started with the standard National Park film about the Battle of Gettysburg, but then you enter the “cyclorama” for a 360 degree 377′ x 42′ painting of Pickett’s Charge completed in1884. The cyclorama experience is enhanced by a narrative of the actual battle with sound and lighting to highlight parts of the painting intended to give you the feeling that you are experiencing the battle. The museum then walks you through the timeline of the Civil War, which was an amazing recap of what we learned this past year.
Harpers Ferry, WV: Harpers Ferry is where the Shenandoah River flows into the Potomac River and cuts through the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has much more historical significance other than being the location of one the catalysts of the Civil War with abolitionist John Brown’s attempt to arm enslaved men and start a rebellion ending with a failed raid in October 1859 on the US Amory. General “Stonewall” Jackson made the largest surrender of Confederate Troops in the Battle of Harpers Ferry in September 1882. Harpers Ferry also became a symbol of freedom and Baptist Missionaries founded Storer College to “educate students of any race, male or female”. The Appalachian Trail also cuts through Harpers Ferry where hikers cross over to Maryland on one of the many bridges.
Sharpsburg, MD Antietam National Battlefield: The Battle of Antietam is considered the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. General Lee’s Confederate army were venturing onto Union land when they crossed the Potomac into Maryland. Union General McClellan was losing after two days of battle when one of his men found Lee’s “Lost Order”, or the written communication detailing the Confederate Plan. This knowledge was enough to tip the battle towards the Union Army. I swear this all sounds like a wild novel!
Manassas, VA Battles of Bull Run:
The First Battle of Bull Run (July 1861) was the first clash of the Civil War and the Union assumed that this would be a short war. Congressmen and others drove our from Washington DC and the surrounding area to view the battle, much like a spectator sport. The Confederates won this battle and it was obvious that they were a more formidable opponents than originally assumed.
The Confederates also won the Second Battle of Bull Run (August 1862) as they were at a peak of strength and confidence and opened the south’s first invasion of the North, but the following Battle of Antietam stopped that progress.
The Traveling Lounsburys 
I would’ve loved seeing you, you were so close!!
Sent from Char’s iPhone
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