The 25 Best Civil War Sites to Visit for History Buffs

The Civil War pitted North versus South, Blue versus Grey and sometimes, even brother against brother. This bloody chapter in American History left countless scars on our landscape and a host of captivating sights for modern-day history buffs. The following are 25 of the most fascinating.

Most main Civil War battles took place in the Southeast, but some hostilities spilled over to other regions. Case in point is the Battle of Glorieta Pass near present-day Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Confederacy hoped to control the West with a victory here, but the Union prevailed. Visit Pecos National Historical Park to learn about the battle and to experience some of New Mexico's stunning natural scenery.

This is the precise spot where hostilities commenced and no American history lover will be disappointed by a stop at this fort in captivating Charleston. April 12, 1861 was the date when the first Confederate fire landed on this Union base and while the battle was won quickly -and decisively-by the Confederacy, it served as only a small taste of the struggle to come.

Manassas was the scene of two major battles and a visit to the National Battlefield Park here will fill you in on the details of both fights. Each engagement here was won by the Confederacy, with the first one sending an emphatic message to the North that this war would not be an easy victory.

Located a few hours south of Nashville, Shiloh was the scene of one of the largest battles in the Mississippi Valley region as nearly one-in-four of the troops that fought here became a casualty. The bloodletting during this Union victory sent shockwaves through the land and set the stage for another fight at nearby Corinth-the sight of a vital train crossroads-a few weeks later.

For the majority of the Civil War, riveting Richmond was both the capital of the Confederacy and its manufacturing hub. Today, the city holds plenty of heavy-hitting historical sites. The Richmond National Battlefield Park is home to over a dozen important wartime landmarks including the Tredegar Iron Works-home to an enthralling collection of exhibits.

Montgomery was the first capital of the Confederacy, and 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 juxtaposition from the Civil Rights landmarks that are also located in the city.

Control of the Mississippi River was critical, so when the Union proved victorious at Vicksburg-after a bloody month-plus siege-they had essentially sealed their victory. Visitors can follow in the footsteps of the brave men who fought here at the Vicksburg National Military Park and even tour a sunken gunboat that has been restored.

The oldest Civil War park in the country, this historical gem offers visitors the unique opportunity to contemplate things from above. It is scattered around several spots on the gorgeous hills surrounding Chattanooga, with several vantage points where visitors can view the spots where skirmishes and troop movements took place.

Fairfax found itself at the crossroads of action due to its prime, central location in Virginia. Union soldiers trouped through the region on numerous occasions and the biggest battle fought in the area was the Battle of Ox Hill. While touring the town, make sure to see Fairfax Station-a train depot where the famous Clara Barton worked to help the wounded.

Missouri played a much larger role in the Civil War than many people realize. In fact, only Virginia and Tennessee saw more war-related skirmishes on their territory. Located a short drive from summer playground Lake of the Ozarks, 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.

Widely regarded as the final engagement of the Civil War, rumor has always had it that the combatants here didn't actually know that the war had already ended. While that is up for debate, what is certain is Confederate soldiers triumphed near the Texas Coast a month after the Confederacy had surrendered and two days after Jefferson Davis had been captured.

The one major fight in Florida, the Battle of Olustee (located near Jacksonville) was a massive morale-boosting victory for the Confederacy as they resisted a Union charge and sent them scurrying in retreat. The Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park offers interactive exhibits on the struggle and an annual reenactment.

Arguably the most well known Civil War site, Gettysburg was the spot of the war's bloodiest engagement and one of the most famous speeches (Gettysburg Address) in American history. The fight helped turn the tide of the war in the Union's direction and the remarkably well-kept battlefields here eerily resemble how they looked back in 1863.

Kentucky's location as a buffer between the North and South made the state extremely valuable during the war. At Perryville-located approximately 70 miles southeast of Lousiville-the state's Civil War fate was sealed when Union troops prevailed and kept it under their control. At the site of the battle, there is now a sprawling park that offers insights and outdoor recreation opportunities.

It isn't a typo: the Civil War even spilled over to France. (Well, just off the coast). A Confederate ship called the CSS Alabama had been prowling the world's waters for nearly two years, raiding nearly everything in its path. After it tried to pull into the harbor of Cherbourg for repairs, it was spotted by the Union ship USS Kearsarge and promptly sunk.

In the heart of Irwin County, Georgia you will find the Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site. It highlights the precise spot where the Confederate president was captured by Union troops. There is a small museum here which offers details on this effort to avoid capture which led him from Richmond all the way to Irwinville

Winning The Battle of Mobile Bay allowed Union troops to establish an imposing blockade on the Confederacy. Victory only came after a bloody naval battle and a lengthy siege of Fort Morgan. Visit Mobile today to gaze out to the sea from the fort and imagine what the battle would have been like. During the summer, there are even guided tours available.

Mary Boykin Chesnut might not be the first name that comes to mind when one thinks of famous Civil War names, but she deserves to be up there. Chesnut is renowned for having kept a detailed diary of her wartime experience in the South-one that included many insider accounts due to her vast social connections. At Mulberry Plantation near Camden, you can step inside her world.

This beautiful town at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers was the site of a pre-war event that helped escalate tensions on both sides. Abolitionist John Brown led a raid on the federal arsenal in town, hoping to create an uprising amongst the region's slaves. The move backfired, but you can still tour the places where this dramatic event took place.

Walk the streets of this town today and you will find grand homes and family-friendly attractions, but during the battle of Fredericksburg the streets 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. Nearby Spotsylvania also holds a host of historic Civil War treasures.

Due to the fact that several trains lines had a crossroads here, control of Petersburg was extremely valuable during the Civil War. After an initial defeat and a nine-months-long seige, Union troops prevailed here. Days later, the Confederacy formally surrendered.

New Orleans was captured by Union troops very early in the Civil War as its "mouth of the Mississippi River" location was considered absolutely vital. While there were no famous battles fought here, artifacts from the era remain at the Memorial Hall, a fascinating insight into Confederate history.

This battle is the one that made Ulysses S. Grant a household name. His heroics leading one of the Union's first victories of the war led to his promotion and the Union having control of the valuable Cumberland River. Days later, the Union captured Clarksville and Nashville.

While Harrisburg's Civil War heritage isn't as rich as some other places on the list, it still a must-visit for history buffs. That's because it is the home of the National Civil War Museum, a place that tells the story of this struggle in painstaking detail.

Last but not least on the list is the spot where the Civil War finally came to an end. At this humble village in the countryside, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant, ending one of the darkest chapters in American history. Tour the actual structure where the papers were signed and reflect on the magnitude of that moment.