Lee Against Grant
United States
The road through central Virginia provides access to the pivotal 1864 Overland Campaign, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and the siege of Petersburg, where Ulysses S. Grant outmanoeuvred Robert E. Lee through nine brutal months until Lee's final retreat and surrender. Virginia has a network of Civil War trails to rival the Ho Chi Minh Trail; three national parks preserve the key battlefields.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Fredericksburg
Four major battles were fought here between 1862 and 1864. The Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP visitor center orients you.
- Wilderness Battlefield
Grant's Overland Campaign opened here in dense forest where the trees caught fire. May 1864: 26,000 casualties in 48 hours.
- Spotsylvania Court House
The Bloody Angle saw 20 hours of hand-to-hand combat on 12 May 1864. Preserved earthworks still stand 2 m high after 160 years.
- Cold Harbor
7,000 Union soldiers fell in 20 minutes on 3 June 1864. Grant called it the one attack he always regretted ordering.
- Richmond
The Confederate capital. The Civil War Museum at Tredegar Iron Works and Hollywood Cemetery, with 18,000 Confederate graves, are essential.
- Petersburg
58 km of preserved trenches from the nine-month siege. The Crater marks where Union troops detonated 4 tons of gunpowder in 1864.
Where to Eat
- FoodeAmerican
Located in a historic bank building, Foode offers farm-to-table dishes emphasizing local ingredients.
- The Bavarian ChefGerman
Authentic German cuisine served in a cozy setting, known for hearty portions and traditional flavors.
- Mason-Dixon CaféSouthern
A family-owned eatery serving Southern comfort food with a modern twist, popular for breakfast and brunch.
- OrofinoItalian
Authentic Italian dishes crafted from family recipes, offering a taste of Italy in downtown Fredericksburg.
Things to Do
- Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military ParkHistoric Site
Explore battlefields and historic buildings from four major Civil War battles in this extensive park.
- Chatham ManorHistoric Site
A historic plantation house offering insights into Civil War history and stunning views of the Rappahannock River.
- Mary Washington HouseMuseum
The preserved home of George Washington's mother, showcasing 18th-century life and artifacts.
- Kenmore PlantationHistoric Site
The elegant Georgian-style home of George Washington's sister, featuring restored interiors and gardens.