Yesterday we fired up Nessie and headed a bit north of Williamsburg to Ashland, Virginia, just eleven miles north of Richmond. Last year when we were in Washington D.C., we tried to get to Richmond, but it didn't work out, so this year is the year. We're staying at the Americamps RV Resort, part of the KOA network, even though it's not advertised as such. We've been assigned space VIP1, which is the single site in the entire park without a paved parking surface or a concrete patio. We're directly adjacent to the office and the main road into the park, and about two hundred yards from I-95, the major highway between Maine and Florida. We'll need to do a sharp turn to exit our site in a few days, and campers continue to walk through our site on their way to the swimming pool. Hmmm.
We're not thoroughly enamored with this park, even though the spaces are a bit larger than we would expect at a typical KOA.
This morning we decided to venture into downtown Richmond to visit the White House of the Confederacy and the Civil War Museum, as well as the Virginia State Capitol.
The White House of the Confederacy Tour was extremely interesting, since the building was the seat of the Confederate government for four years. It was also the home of Jefferson Davis and his family during that time. Photography was not allowed, so I don't have any photos, but the home is well done. It has been reconstructed with period furnishings and decorated with personal belongings of Jefferson Davis. His office desk had an unusual item setting at the back. About the size of a baseball, black, with hole drilled into the top, we learned that it was a coal grenade. Powder was packed into the hole, and a fuze was lit and the whole works was thrown toward the enemy. We also learned that the Confederacy was also the first to (inadvertantly) devise a ground to air missile. Seems that during underwater torpedo testing, one of the torpedoes became airborne!
In the Civil War Museum, we walked through three floors detailing the many facets of the war. The main floor timelines the war from 1861 to 1865, with most major battles and all of the significant military maneuvers detailed, and well as containing bio's of Commanders, Generals, and Leaders of both governments.
In July of 1861, the first Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) was fought between two opposing "green" armies, who really didn't know what to do. The Union loss dashed hope of a quick end to the rebellion, and confusion in Confederate ranks resulted in failure to follow retreating Union troops. The South was likewise disillusioned of it's belief that the war would be short.
At the exhibit for the Battle of Manassas, a number of personal items are on display, giving the viewer a new insight into the horrors of the battle.
An entire display is devoted to Confederate Colonel James Ewell Brown Stuart. One of the most well known of the Souths military men, Colonel J.E.B Stuart was mortally wounded at the Battle of Yellow Tavern while defending Richmond. He was 31 years old. His cavalry saddle and his thigh high boots are on display.
His field office, personal sidearm, hat and gloves are on display as well.
The Museum also has the Headquarters Flag of General Robert E. Lee. Made by his wife and daughters and bears a distinctive "Bread of Life" star pattern.
General Lee's field tent was his most comfortable place. He was acutely aware of living better than his men, and hated to inconvenience private citizens, so he preferred the privacy of his tent. He preferred to wear a simple grey uniform, cavalry boots, and a broad brimmed hat. His Chief-of-Staff said of General Lee that "He is never more uncomfortable than when he is comfortable". All of the items in this scene are Lee's, including the camp bed.
Known as Sherman's Neckties, these rails were cut from the railroads surrounding Atlanta, heated over huge bonfires, and twisted around trees to prevent their reuse.
On April 2, Lee telegraphed Jefferson Davis and advised him that it was imperative to abandon his position immediately. Davis left Richmond and commanded that the city be abandoned and torched. Davis was captured wearing this coat and vest. Legend says that he was dressed in "his wife's petticoats", but in truth, his wife had thrown her shawl over his head as the Union troops approached, hoping to hide him. Unwarranted ridicule followed Davis for years.
This Valentine Day card was created by an unknown Confederate soldier using a variety of found materials, proving that soldiers never forgot their families.
Perhaps the most startling item on display in the Civil War Museum is this Bullet Rosette. Formed when two bullets met head-on and at the exact trajectory and speed to created a lead rosette.
An entire room is devoted to the battle that resulted in the largest casualty numbers of the war.
Three blocks south of the Civil War Museum is the Virginia State Capitol. The complex has been redesigned over the last few years to improve security, but unfortunately reduce the ability to get good exterior photos of the building.
The Rotunda contains a life-size statue of George Washington. At 6' 2", it is considered to be the most accurate representation of our First President ever created.
The Capitol was designed by Thomas Jefferson, in the Classic style. He was a practical man, so the structure was originally a rectangle, with the House of Delegates (Representatives) on the ground floor, the Senate on the second floor, and the Governor in a tiny office on the third floor!
The Rotunda is very nicely decorated.
A huge statue of General George Washington surrounded by Henry Clay, Thomas Jefferson, and others occupies the place of honor on the Capitol grounds.
It being a Sunday, in the South, most restaurants were closed. We elected to go to the village of Ashland, The Center of the Universe because it's exactly half way between Maine and Florida, for a down-home southern dinner. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, macaroni and cheese, and collard greens completed the repast. This is a local place, but even though Donna and I were a bit out of place, we were made welcome, and the food was great!
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