Sunken Road on the Fredericksburg Battlefield
Credit: Larry Stuart
Hooker. Jackson died here, but was buried in Lexington, Virginia;
however, this extensive, well-preserved park has a large national
cemetery as well as a separate Confederate cemetery.
FORT MCHENRY NATIONAL MONUMENT
AND HISTORIC SHRINE, MARYLAND
The Battle of Baltimore was one of the last of the War of 1812, which
raged between the United States and Britain from 1812 to 1815. In
1814, The British attacked Fort McHenry from the sea, in an attempt
to take control of the Chesapeake Bay and the harbor. The Americans
repelled the invasion while simultaneously inspiring Francis Scott Key
to pen “The Star Spangled Banner” as he witnessed the fight. Join park
rangers for fascinating daily historical lectures and walks; you might
even be chosen to help change the flag that still flies over the fort, a
ritual that happens every day at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Less than an hour
from D.C., be sure to plan to visit Baltimore’s Inner Harbor complex
and enjoy fantastic Maryland crab cakes.
GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK,
PENNSYLVANIA
The Civil War Battle of Gettysburg lasted for three long days in July
1863, as Confederate General Robert E. Lee attempted his second
invasion of the North near that Pennsylvania town. Clashing with
Union General George Meade on the fields and ridges just outside the
city, by the time the horrific conflict was over more than 100,000 men
had fought — and over 50,000 had died. The turning point of the Civil
War, Gettysburg was the conflict’s bloodiest battle, marked later by
President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, given on November
17, 1863, at the dedication of the massive Soldiers’ National Cemetery.
Fredericksburg National Cemetery Illumination
Time your trip for that Dedication Day, as numerous events happen
every year to commemorate the historic event; or visit on any weekend
from April to October to witness the parks “living history” program
— Reenactments of the elements of the battle by costumed historians
on the battlefields.
SPRING 2018 63 FLYWASHINGTON.COM