Battlefield Ride (April 27, 2014)

 Beautiful day for a motorcycle ride on April 27...and turned out to be the best ride of the year (so far anyhow). Headed up the road (that road being the expressway unfortunately, but fastest way there). Had been past it but had never been to Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville battlefields. Rode there on a 60 mile ride from Richmond, and did some more riding there to get to the two places. There are actually four battlefields there (also The Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House) but those will have to wait for another time.
This is the Pennsylvania monument at Fredericksburg National Cemetery where some 15,000 Union soldiers are buried. Most died in all four battles over the years, and were moved there in 1865. Most are unknown as well. The cemetery is at Marye's Heights, the most famous (in my opinion) of the battles. It was really an epic day, and quite the engagement even for the Civil War (which had many such battles).    

While most of the walls at Marye's Heights are replica, this section is original to the battle. The wall also at a place called  "The Sunken Road" had heights behind it. It was a very strong position and withstood repeated attacks by Union troops under the command of General Ambrose F. Burnside. There were also a few original houses in the area, though 150 years have brought a lot of changes to all the areas.
Rode next to Chancellorsville a few miles up the road. Road was very busy and traffic was pretty fast, rangers though gave good directions and was easy to find.    

Chancellorsville had a driving tour which I rode...pretty easy to follow and some interesting sights. I have put a few more photos on my photo page, and will also have some more on my Richmond and me page.
This monument is not far from the spot where General Stonewall Jackson was shot by his own troops. Though a Confederate victory the loss of Stonewall Jackson was a major blow to the Confederate cause.
I don't think that cause ever had a chance, the North was much bigger and much more industrial. Plus as one historian once put it the Confederate "cause" was one of the worst that anyone ever fought for. Slavery is not exactly something that most nations would defend even then....England and France gave little if any support to the South.
From this battlefield, I headed back down the highway to the "Jackson Shrine".     

After being shot General Jackson was taken to the Fairfield Plantation. He rested in the outbuilding to recover from the bullets to, and the loss of, his arm (believe it was his left). Six days after being shot, he dies of Pneumonia The office building is the only remaining building but is original as is the bed he died on and some other items in the room.
All in all on a 70 degree day got in a 150 mile and very interesting ride into some more of the most dynamic period in American History (with the possible exception of WW2) and some great time on the motorcycle. If this is the real start of the riding season, 2014 is going to be one hell of a year!