National Geographic Guide to the Civil War National Battlefield Parks

From South Carolina's secession on December 20, 1860, to the Confederate surrender at Virginia's Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, Civil War names and places still command the attention of Americans of all ages. This updated guide provides a clear and fascinating overview of what happened at major sites in nine Confederate states, six Union states, and the territory of New Mexico. Abundant photos, maps, and sidebars complement the informative text. Follow the strategies of Stonewall Jackson during the Valley Campaign and at Bull Run, where his famous nickname originated...and witness the fighting at Gettysburg, where the Union Army resolutely defended its homeland. For each site, learn how to get there, where to stay, and what else to see in the area. Whether you visit the parks in person or simply explore these pages, you'll be guided to many rewarding experiences.

A. Wilson Greene is currently the Executive Director of Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier. He has written widely on the Civil War era, including the prizewinning Civil War Petersburg: Confederate City in the Crucible of War.

Gary W. Gallagher, the John L. Nau III Professor in the History of the American Civil War at the University of Virginia, also has received awards for his research and writing, which includes The Confederate War, Lee and His Generals in War and Memory, and Stephen Dodson Ramseur: Lee's Gallant General. Gallagher was founder and first president of the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites and has served on the Board of Directors of the Civil War Trust.