Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park

I was hiking in Monocacy National Battlefield earlier this year when I thought to myself, “I don’t like battlefields as much as other National Park sites.” When I think National Parks, I think Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Denali. When I think National Park Service, I think the monuments in Washington, DC. Grand, majestic, breathtaking.  When I think battlefield, I think…field.

About the time I was considering all this, I rounded a corner of a trail along the Monocacy River and read about the men that fled here. Here. Right here. Men fighting for the preservation of the country I now call home had been on this exact spot where I was standing. I wasn’t in a museum reading about an event that happened in a far off land. I was standing on the piece of ground where it all went down.

The more iconic National Parks such as Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Denali are humbling because of their magnitude. They are natural parks. It’s a piece of land where God made something awesome and we, thankfully, decided to protect it so it could be enjoyed by future generations.  National Battlefields are earned parks. Men and women did something amazing there and now it too is being preserved. No one did anything to deserve our natural parks, but people fought and died on our National Battlefields. Both are equally worthy of our respect and time.

In fact, I would argue that I’ve actually learned more while touring the battlefields. I’ve found this whole National Park quest to be a huge learning experience. If you’re considering taking a class, try visiting a different National Park each month first. But, more specifically, I’ve learned a lot about the history of our nation by visiting the parks.

For example, the Union lost the battle at Monocacy. I read that sign twice. I was surprised there was a park for a battle the Union lost. It’s true, the Union lost there, but their efforts may have won them the war. As they continued to fight they slowed the Confederate Army’s advance to Washington, DC. This allowed more Union troops to get into position and defend the city when the time came. What a great lesson in perseverance. Keep fighting even when you’re down. Who knows what is about to happen?

Similarly, last weekend in the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Battlefield, I learned that Stonewall Jackson was shot by his own men at the battle of Chancellorsville. His troops were making great progress so he had them keep fighting even as it was getting dark. Unfortunately, that meant they couldn’t see and identify individuals very well and he was mistaken for the enemy and shot 3 times. He died just over a week later. I don’t remember that from history class.

Jackson was traveling this path (roughly). He was shot about where the sign is today.

Nearby, this monument stands where he was pulled from his horse.

Don’t write off any of the National Park Sites. It’s been preserved for a reason. Go, explore, and learn. You many not think every park is as sexy as Yosemite, but you might find a new favorite spot.

Go. Live.