battlefield fredericksburg

JudyJacobs

The Visitors Center has a very well made video you should see before walking the grounds. You should also see the exhibits in the center. We went when there was snow on the ground - and the Rangers asked us to be careful. After viewing the video it helped to picture the battle as we walked the self guided tour path. It was a very moving experience!

RG2B

The not to be missed event is Memorial Day. The Scouts place luminaries on each grave and the Park Service provides guides to special places in the Cemetery. A bugler plays Taps every thirty minutes as the sun goes down and the entire park falls silent. I have never experienced anything like it elsewhere.On any other day, the park is a great place to experience for sunrises, sunsets, peace and solitude. A beautiful place.

deeremom430

We started out by watching the move at the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitors Center. After seeing everything inside we headed out back to the Sunken Road, the Innis House and the cemetery, Visiting the cemetery is very sobering-so sad to know that so many died in this battle. It's amazing that so much of the wall has been preserved. If you are looking for Civil War history, this is a must do.

NebraskaWanderer

The driving tour of this battlefield is remarkable with much to see and is a paradise for someone with a camra. The Fredericksburg battlefield museum is a must see. With a great film and many artifacts to enjoy in the museum. On the driving tour, there are many stops where you can stop and enjoy the history and Virginia forest and fields.

RickP496

This is the place in town - Quick and inexpensive however, have cash no cards accepted... This is the good old boys breakfast location so if you want to meet the boys from Fredericksburg, ask a few questions and know exactly what is going on in town this is the place.

Ruggerlynn

Recommend walking the Sunken Road trail and then driving to Spotsylvania Battlefield. Unless you are really are looking to be in the exact spot of the battles, this will give you the best preserved highlights. The wall to Lee's Hill was 10-15 minutes. Not much to see on top and in the back yard of two houses. Also there was no view as when Lee was there due to the trees. Prospects Hill also was not much of a hill and not memorable.

cybored

We visited the battlefield at Marye's Heights on a beautiful weekend afternoon. There were very few people around, which made it possible to imagine what it might have been like at the actual time of the battle (except it was cold then). Signs are pretty good about what you're looking at, and the paths, even though they go uphill, are easy to navigate.

SINROSSCO

In doing my family genealogy I have found out that I had two great uncles and their brother-in-law that fought during the Civil War in this area. I wish I would have known in my school years what I know now. This battle field is the site for many of the Union Soldiers that were buried here. It is a high point in the city. I think if you are interested in history walking this cemetery will reflect back on the cost that goes with our freedoms. I am a volunteer for the Find A Grave web site in which I have posted several photos of the markers in this cemetery. There are only about 20% that are accounted for. I find it an honor to do so. The people that work for the National Park Service at this site are very helpful. There is a minimal fee to see a film which everyone should see. They also offer tours but I don't know the specifics off hand.

643rachelw

I really enjoyed the location of the Visitor Center. The walking tour takes you around the wall, the Sunken Road, and also up to Marye's Heights. My family decided to take the driving tour as well. This was very helpful because we were able to see where Burnside sent troops where they crossed the river and so forth. This is one of the big battles of the war so I really liked how the park service created routes that are easy to follow and show highlights of the battle. I would highly recommend if nothing else stopping at the visitor center and walking around the wall and the Sunken Road. There is still original parts of the wall standing!

768BrendaH

It's hard to imagine what so many had gone through back then. We started with the film downstairs and then went through the museum to read more about the battle and see the artifacts...we were impressed with the sunken road and how it played a role in this battle. There is more on the walking tour to see which will impress you.....definitely worth going to as this will help you understand the battle a little better.... They also have a museum store on the grounds. The staff was very helpful and friendly.

blandboy

Having visited Gettysburg the day prior, we headed to Fredericksburg. Didn't think they could top the nastiness up north, but the carnage to the residents and Union victims on Sunken Road are almost too horrific to comprehend. Small but interesting well-done museum. View the video, then head out back to view Sunken Road. Don't miss Innis House; peer through the windows and view the bullet- riddled wall inside.

Nelson193

We were particularly impressed with the sunken road, and role it played in the battle. Film at Visitor's center for Battlefield should be your first stop. Both walking area w stone walls and house from that time filled with bullet holes. Lee's cannon of hill overlooking City worth seeing to understand advantage. Informative brochures available. Found the battlefield easier to explore than Chancellorsville.

davidsW5684AO

We had Scott of Hallowed Ground Tours to give us a private tour of the Battlefield and surrounding areas and museums, and boy was it worth it. We learned a huge amount about the dreadful carnage of the Civil War. You'll need half a day to do it justice.

pdxjeff1959

I never knew about the Sunken Road until I came here and saw it for myself. It was pretty sobering to hear how this battle went down and the impact it must have had on involved for both sides.The museum was well done, and the video they show at the visitors center gives a pretty good synopsis of the events leading to and following this battle. Once you finish with the visitor center, I would suggest taking the walking tour through the Sunken Road and then driving over to Chatham, which was used as a hospital during the war.

TriumphTim

The Fredericksburg Visitor Center sits on the site of the Battle of Fredericksburg. There is plenty of memorabilia and multimedia things to see and in fact is currently under some updating and renovation. There is a film that will run at your request and is very informative and sets the tone for not only the battle of Fredericksburg but also Spotsylvania, the Wilderness and Chancellorsville. We were luck enough to join the half-hour tour of the battlefield given by the U.S. Parks Service Ranger Becky Cumins who not only has an amazing understanding of the battle and the events leading up to and after the battle but also her delivery was engaging and kept the tour interesting. I highly recommend at least a couple of hours at this site as part of your civil war experience. Don't forget to walk over to the Stratton house about a block away that the Union soldiers used for cover as they attacked the high ground.