Washington, D. C.
On the way home we stopped to see family in the D.C. area. Everyone knows there are wonderful things to see here. We only had a short time but happened to be close to The Manassas Battlefield National Park so we took a look. By the way, as usual, the National Park rangers/docents were excellent and at the visitor center was a 45 minute movie (very professional) explaining the two battles and how they were relevant in the larger conflict. In case you forgot, the First Battle of Bull Run (Union name) was fought at Manassas (Confederate name) April 15th, 1861; one of the first battles after the Ft. Sumpter takeover. Union Forces, led by Gen. McDowell, wanted to secure an important railroad junction that would impair the South's ability to supply Richmond. Bystanders from D.C. came out to watch the battle, which they thought would basically end the war. Surprise, surprise, the Confederates, led by Gen P.G.T. Beauregard and Gen. Joseph Johnston, with suppo...