Top 10 Captivating American Civil War Sites

President Abraham Lincoln was elected in 1860, which set off events leading to the American Civil War. This is the deadliest war fought on American soil to date, leaving much of the south in ruin afterward. The Civil War pitted North versus South, Blue versus Grey, and sometimes, even brother against brother.

For nearly five years, the war went on until, on April 9, 1865, in the south, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant in Virginia. This bloody chapter in American History left countless scars on our country’s landscape and a multitude of captivating sights for modern-day history buffs. While there are many, we’ve chosen to show you our top 10 most interesting.

Richmond National Battlefield Park, Richmond, VA

During the Civil War, the south used Richmond as the Confederate States of America as the capital. Besides being home to the government, Richmond also played host to Confederate hospitals, Tredegar Iron Works, and the notorious Union prisoner of war camps Libby Prison and Belle Isle.

Although the city sat 105 miles from the Union capital of Washington D.C., Richmond did not fall into Union hands until April 3, 1865.

Today, the city holds plenty of fascinating historical sites due to its proximity to the Mason Dixon line. The Richmond National Battlefield Park is home to over a dozen major wartime landmarks, including the Tredegar Iron Works, home to an engaging collection of exhibits.

Many of the sites around the city have been preserved to how they would have looked during the war. In addition to the battle sites, check out the American Civil War Museum as well.

Fort Sumter National Historical Park, Charleston, SC

A boat ride and tour of the fort will give you a deeper understanding of what went on the day that started it all. Fort Sumter’s location is off the coast of South Carolina. Even though the fort was in the south, President Lincoln held on to it to protest the south seceding.

On April 12, 1861, Confederate munitions attacked the Union garrison. Once cut off from supply, the defense surrendered the next day. On September 8, 1863, the Union tried to reclaim the fort but was unsuccessful.

Today the fort is open to tours through the National Park Service. But make sure to buy tickets ahead of time because they sell out quickly. Displays include slavery and the plantation culture, significant figures, politics, and how the Confederate Army was formed.

Montgomery, Alabama

As the Civil War surrounded our nation in the 1860s, residents of Montgomery County lived in a war zone. Union and Confederate soldiers passed regularly through the area, small bands of troops led raids, and young men went off to battle on both sides of the fight.

Spies and smugglers made trusting your neighbor impossible, essential goods became more limited, and cannon fire heard from across the river created tension throughout the land. In the midst of this, martial law was forced throughout Maryland. This military rule meant checkpoints, curfews, passes for travel to certain places, seemingly random citizen arrests, and the seizure of property.

At the Alabama State Capitol building, you can see the precise spot where Jefferson Davis took the oath to become its first president. His “white house” can also be toured, and these two sites make quite the comparison from the Civil Rights landmarks that are also located in the city.

Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, PA

Today, President Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address is one of the best-known speeches in American history. That may have something to do with Gettysburg being one of the biggest battles in the civil war.

From July 1-3, 1863, Union and Confederate troops met in what became the bloodiest fight ever take place on American soil. Between the two armies, up to 51,000 soldiers were lost over the three days of battle. This struggle helped turn the tide of the war in the Union’s direction as it ended General Robert E. Lee’s invasion of the north.

The remarkably well-kept battlefields here eerily resemble what they looked like back in 1863. While there, be sure to check out the Gettysburg museum and visitor center artifacts. They have one of the largest collections of Civil War artifacts in the world.

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Appomattox, VA

Here is where the Civil War FINALLY came to an end. When General Robert E. Lee recognized he could push no farther and could also no longer retreat, he surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant in Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.

This sealed the fate of the Civil War. At this simple village in the countryside, General Robert E. Lee conceded, ending one of the darkest parts of American history.

You can tour the actual structure where the papers were signed and really register the magnitude of that moment! Much of this small village of Appomattox Court House still stands in the park. You can walk through to get a sense of what life was REALLY like here at the end of the Civil War.

Fredericksburg Battlefield, Fredericksburg, VA

Speaking of Virginia, while here you should check out this battlefield. Everything here happened either “before the war” or “after the war,” and everyone’s clear on which war you’re talking about. Soldiers, civilians, and slaves’ lives were changed by what took place here. Nearly 100,000 men were killed or wounded in four battles over eighteen months.

The constant presence or passage of armies mangled the landscape, bringing agriculture to a virtual standstill for nearly two years. In Fredericksburg, the Union army bombarded and then looted, leaving about 100 buildings damaged and the prosperity of many families ruined. But amidst the destruction, slaves sought AND found freedom. You can say that the Civil War modified this community socially, physically, and politically.

Walk the streets of this town today, and you’ll find extraordinary homes and family-friendly attractions, but during the battle of Fredericksburg, the roads were filled with fighting. Fredericksburg saw some of the most intense urban combat of the war with Union and Confederate soldiers, the latter being the ultimate victors, duking it out on streets and in alleys all over town.

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Republic, MO

Missouri played a much more significant role in the Civil War than many realize. Only Virginia and Tennessee saw more war-related conflicts on their territory. Wilson’s Creek was the scene of a Confederate victory, and today the site is home to an informative museum which details the state’s role in the war.

This battle was the first major American Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River, and it was fought on August 10, 1861. Features include a self-guided 5 mile automobile tour, which connects eight stops highlighting historically important aspects of the battlefield, the restored 1852 Ray House, and “Bloody Hill,” the site of the final stage of the battle.

Still preserved on the original battlefield, Ray House actually dates back to before the Civil War, and it was used as a field hospital after the fight. After the Union army retreated from the field, General Lyon’s body was brought to the Ray House by Confederate soldiers.

Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, Mississippi

Confederate President Jefferson Davis considered Vicksburg, Mississippi “the nailhead that holds the South’s two halves together.” Control of the city was essential for controlling the Mississippi River, which meant control over rations for the south. Confederates fortified the city with riverfront artillery batteries and a ring of forts with over 170 cannons.

Imagine their surprise when Ulysses S. Grant held a 47-day siege on the city ending in surrender. A major defeat for the north! Even though the USS Cairo was shot down during the Civil War, it was still well preserved at the river’s bottom.

Visitors can match the footsteps of the brave men who fought here at the Vicksburg National Military Park. The gunboat has been restored, and artifacts can be seen at the site.

Andersonville National Historic Site, Andersonville, Georgia

Those with interests in the Civil War or military history could easily spend most of the day here. Andersonville National Historic Site honors all American prisoners of War and includes three features. The Andersonville National Cemetery, the National Prisoner of War Museum, and the ACTUAL site of the Andersonville prison.

The Andersonville Prison, aka Camp Sumter, was one of the largest Confederate military prisons. It was used during the final year of the War. The camp was intended to hold 10,000 prisoners but had over 32,000 at its most crowded point. Union soldiers died here by the thousands from lack of water and various diseases. Today Andersonville is home to the memorial for all American Prisoners of War throughout history.

Shiloh National Military Park, Shiloh, Tennessee

The Battle of Shiloh only lasted two days, beginning April 6, 1862, and was vital for controlling the railroad junction in Corinth, Mississippi. Although there was no actual winner of the battle, it was a failure for the Confederate army since Union forces captured Corinth after the fight. Here you can visit the battlefields as well as the United States National Cemetery.

Shiloh is also known for the Shiloh Indian Mounds. These rectangular mounds with flat tops would have been for important buildings. One round top pile was used for the burial of an important member of the tribe.

Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, Maryland

This is known as the “Bloodiest One Day Battle” in American History. Twenty-three thousand soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. This battle was a significant defeat for Confederate forces. The north won when General Robert E. Lee invaded the north. President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation following the battle, declaring that all slaves in the Confederate states would be freed.

The best place to start your tour here is at the park’s visitor center. They have museum exhibits, a film, a museum store, and park rangers and volunteers on duty to help you get oriented. The battlefield is approximately 3,000 acres that you can explore. From self-guided driving tours, battlefield walks and talks with rangers, or exploring the Ry House Field Hospital Museum, there is plenty to see and do for all age groups.