FREDERICKSBURG: Site of Upper Pontoon, looking toward town

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DREWRY'S BLUFF, VA.: Where Union navy was defeated on James River

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PETERSBURG: 1st Maine Heavies attacked Colquitt's Salient, June 18, 1864

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BRANDY STATION (Va.): Fleetwood Hill, site of cavalry battle June 9, 1863

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CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA. Where Stonewall Jackson whipped Yankees

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PORT REPUBLIC, VA.: The Coaling, where Union army set up defensive line

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SHEPHERDSTOWN, VA.: Where Yankees were routed on Sept. 20, 1862

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KERNSTOWN, VA.: Samuel Pritchard house, silent witness to two battles

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SHEPHERDSTOWN (W.Va.): Where the 118th Pennsylvania met disaster

BATTLEFIELD BACKSTORY: Do yourself a favor the next time you visit the Antietam battlefield: Cross the Potomac River -- take the bridge, don't wade across -- head down the River Road at Shepherdstown, park your car and walk out to the water. The scene can be breathtaking. Of course, on Sept. 20, 1862, this scene above was more terrifying than breathtaking for the 118th Pennsylvania, which saw the elephant here at the Battle of  Shepherdstown, Va., (West Virginia today). Chased from the bluffs above time, soldiers in the regiment scrambled across the slippery dam or dived into the shallow water, attempting to dodge gunfire from the Rebels. Soldiers "hoping to escape the fatal effect of the avenging bullets," a 118th regimental historian noted, "took to deeper water and crossed where the stream was deep enough to cover the entire body and leave the head alone exposed." Many did not make it. (Click at upper right to enlarge and click here for all posts on this blog.)

KERNSTOWN, VA.: Site of two battles along old Valley Pike

BATTLEFIELD BACKSTORY: In mid-February, I headed south down the historic Valley Pike to Kernstown, a battlefield bordered by housing subdivisions, a Better Beer Store, a business park, a nail salon and other urban schlock. The battlefield was technically closed, but I talked my way onto the field, took photos and walked alone on the chilly, overcast afternoon to the top of Pritchard Hill, from which Union artillery shelled the Rebs during both battles. If you look hard enough, you could even see where the Rebels were positioned along the Valley Pike. Just look for the car dealership. If you count the battle preservationists have fought to protect the old Pritchard-Grim farm, shown above, three battles were fought at Kernstown. (Click at upper right to enlarge.)