DH and I are planning a trip to cover the "western theater" of the Civil War in June. We'll start in Myrtle Beach (home base) and plan to first stop in Asheville, NC (because we love the area!) up to 3 days there, then travel west through Tennessee (might do Nashville) and then to get to see Shiloh National Military Park. Need suggestions where to camp in those areas. From there, probably to Memphis, then down along the Mississippi River to Vicksburg. Also would appreciate ideas on camping on that leg of the trip. Also, "must sees" and "don't bothers" would be helpful. From Vicksburg, across to Chattanooga (again, suggestions!!), down to the Atlanta area, (yes, please help again!), then go with Sherman and "march to the sea" and Savannah - then home to Charleston and MB. Have never been to most of these areas so any ideas or experiences you can share would be a huge help. Thanks. We'll be traveling in a 34' MH with a toad - just the 2 of us. We have almost a month to enjoy ourselves!! Don't have to be back to MB until June 27th!!!

I can offer suggestions for two of your stops.Memphis--- Tom Sawyer RV Park in West Memphis, Arkansas. Just across the bridge that dumps into Beal Street. Inside the levee on the West bank of the river. Relax for a couple of days and watch the tow-boats work up and down the river just feet from your window. I don't have the phone number handy, but it is on their website (along with a link to check the river stage, although that is usually only a concern in the Spring.)Charleston --- John's Island County Park. Very nice and reasonably convenient. Contact Charleston County Parks Dept for info.

Allworth wrote:I can offer suggestions for two of your stops.Memphis--- Tom Sawyer RV Park in West Memphis, Arkansas. Just across the bridge that dumps into Beal Street. Inside the levee on the West bank of the river. Relax for a couple of days and watch the tow-boats work up and down the river just feet from your window. I don't have the phone number handy, but it is on their website (along with a link to check the river stage, although that is usually only a concern in the Spring.)What are the odds, two people from orlando recommending the same place. Be sure to call a couple days ahead so you can get a site on the river.

I have to chuckle because there are civil war sites much further west. All the sites you have mentioned are in the east to me. There were civil war battles in New Mexico and Arizona. The battle of Picacho Peak in Arizona I think is the furthest west battle of the war. There was a battle at Glorieta Pass just east of Santa Fe, NM. There were many battles in Missouri because it was a border state and was wanted very badly by the Confederates and the Union was determined to old it. The skirmishes' alone the Missouri and Kansas border actually started in 1855. Missouri, supposedly a slave state, had individuals trying to influence the vote in Kansas to make it a slave state also. This started the Kansas/Missouri border war and made Quantrill famous.Sorry for the diversion from your original question. Vicksburg Battlefield Kampground right near the Battlefield National Park. Exit 4 on I-20. While in Vicksburg be sure and visit the Corp of Engineers water experiment station. It is very interesting.

dbbls wrote:I have to chuckle because there are civil war sites much further west. All the sites you have mentioned are in the east to me. There were civil war battles in New Mexico and Arizona. The battle of Picacho Peak in Arizona I think is the furthest west battle of the war. There was a battle at Glorieta Pass just east of Santa Fe, NM. There were many battles in Missouri because it was a border state and was wanted very badly by the Confederates and the Union was determined to old it. The skirmishes' alone the Missouri and Kansas border actually started in 1855. Missouri, supposedly a slave state, had individuals trying to influence the vote in Kansas to make it a slave state also. This started the Kansas/Missouri border war and made Quantrill famous.Sorry for the diversion from your original question. Vicksburg Battlefield Kampground right near the Battlefield National Park. Exit 4 on I-20. While in Vicksburg be sure and visit the Corp of Engineers water experiment station. It is very interesting.My first reaction was the same, o boy, I get hear about some of those Civil War sites in Missouri, Kansas and other states west of those states, but was disappointed when I read about those East of the Mississippi as being Western.

stetwood wrote:dbbls wrote:I have to chuckle because there are civil war sites much further west. All the sites you have mentioned are in the east to me. There were civil war battles in New Mexico and Arizona. The battle of Picacho Peak in Arizona I think is the furthest west battle of the war. There was a battle at Glorieta Pass just east of Santa Fe, NM. There were many battles in Missouri because it was a border state and was wanted very badly by the Confederates and the Union was determined to old it. The skirmishes' alone the Missouri and Kansas border actually started in 1855. Missouri, supposedly a slave state, had individuals trying to influence the vote in Kansas to make it a slave state also. This started the Kansas/Missouri border war and made Quantrill famous.Sorry for the diversion from your original question. Vicksburg Battlefield Kampground right near the Battlefield National Park. Exit 4 on I-20. While in Vicksburg be sure and visit the Corp of Engineers water experiment station. It is very interesting.My first reaction was the same, o boy, I get hear about some of those Civil War sites in Missouri, Kansas and other states west of those states, but was disappointed when I read about those East of the Mississippi as being Western.Same here. I was even thinking about Pea Ridge in NW Arkansas. Not as far west as NM or AZ, but an important battlefield that had a lot to do with the CSA from making a strong move into Missouri. A very well preserved battleground.

CG suggestions for June trip - Civil War sites in the west

navybanker
Explorer
Oct 25, 2013
You might want to visit the sites around Franklin, Tennessee just south of Nashville. They are Carter house and the Battle of Franklin/Nashville. The COE campground on Percy Priest Lake close to Nashville is very good but no sewer (dump). The Hermitage (Andrew Jackson plantation)is close by. Also Ft. Donelson near Dover,Tennessee. Just north of Dover is Land Between the Lakes (most are in Kentucky) with several COE campgrounds (Piney CG is closest to Ft Donelson)with some FHUs. Piney is right on the Tennessee River. Check out Pickwick Dam state park near Shiloh.
You are correct as this part of the country was the "west" during the 'war' as they call it around these parts.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Oct 25, 2013
Well we accidentally stopped at the Valverde site (in NM). We pulled off the road at a turn-out and then I noticed a piller with a metal plate. The plate informed us that this was the site of the Valverde battle. Flat high desert is all that can be seen. I had read a book about the battle not too long before so I'd heard of it, but the actual site is completely uninformative unless they've done some work there since we were there.
4runnerguy
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
stetwood wrote:
dbbls wrote:
I have to chuckle because there are civil war sites much further west.
All the sites you have mentioned are in the east to me. There were civil war battles in New Mexico and Arizona. The battle of Picacho Peak in Arizona I think is the furthest west battle of the war. There was a battle at Glorieta Pass just east of Santa Fe, NM. There were many battles in Missouri because it was a border state and was wanted very badly by the Confederates and the Union was determined to old it. The skirmishes' alone the Missouri and Kansas border actually started in 1855. Missouri, supposedly a slave state, had individuals trying to influence the vote in Kansas to make it a slave state also. This started the Kansas/Missouri border war and made Quantrill famous.

Sorry for the diversion from your original question. Vicksburg Battlefield Kampground right near the Battlefield National Park. Exit 4 on I-20. While in Vicksburg be sure and visit the Corp of Engineers water experiment station. It is very interesting.

My first reaction was the same, o boy, I get hear about some of those Civil War sites in Missouri, Kansas and other states west of those states, but was disappointed when I read about those East of the Mississippi as being Western.

Same here. I was even thinking about Pea Ridge in NW Arkansas. Not as far west as NM or AZ, but an important battlefield that had a lot to do with the CSA from making a strong move into Missouri. A very well preserved battleground.
stetwood
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
dbbls wrote:
I have to chuckle because there are civil war sites much further west.
All the sites you have mentioned are in the east to me. There were civil war battles in New Mexico and Arizona. The battle of Picacho Peak in Arizona I think is the furthest west battle of the war. There was a battle at Glorieta Pass just east of Santa Fe, NM. There were many battles in Missouri because it was a border state and was wanted very badly by the Confederates and the Union was determined to old it. The skirmishes' alone the Missouri and Kansas border actually started in 1855. Missouri, supposedly a slave state, had individuals trying to influence the vote in Kansas to make it a slave state also. This started the Kansas/Missouri border war and made Quantrill famous.

Sorry for the diversion from your original question. Vicksburg Battlefield Kampground right near the Battlefield National Park. Exit 4 on I-20. While in Vicksburg be sure and visit the Corp of Engineers water experiment station. It is very interesting.

My first reaction was the same, o boy, I get hear about some of those Civil War sites in Missouri, Kansas and other states west of those states, but was disappointed when I read about those East of the Mississippi as being Western.
dbbls
Explorer
Oct 20, 2013
I have to chuckle because there are civil war sites much further west.
All the sites you have mentioned are in the east to me. There were civil war battles in New Mexico and Arizona. The battle of Picacho Peak in Arizona I think is the furthest west battle of the war. There was a battle at Glorieta Pass just east of Santa Fe, NM. There were many battles in Missouri because it was a border state and was wanted very badly by the Confederates and the Union was determined to old it. The skirmishes' alone the Missouri and Kansas border actually started in 1855. Missouri, supposedly a slave state, had individuals trying to influence the vote in Kansas to make it a slave state also. This started the Kansas/Missouri border war and made Quantrill famous.

Sorry for the diversion from your original question. Vicksburg Battlefield Kampground right near the Battlefield National Park. Exit 4 on I-20. While in Vicksburg be sure and visit the Corp of Engineers water experiment station. It is very interesting.
RVUSA
Explorer
Oct 20, 2013
Allworth wrote:
I can offer suggestions for two of your stops.

Memphis--- Tom Sawyer RV Park in West Memphis, Arkansas. Just across the bridge that dumps into Beal Street. Inside the levee on the West bank of the river. Relax for a couple of days and watch the tow-boats work up and down the river just feet from your window. I don't have the phone number handy, but it is on their website (along with a link to check the river stage, although that is usually only a concern in the Spring.)

What are the odds, two people from orlando recommending the same place. Be sure to call a couple days ahead so you can get a site on the river.
Allworth
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2013
I can offer suggestions for two of your stops.

Memphis--- Tom Sawyer RV Park in West Memphis, Arkansas. Just across the bridge that dumps into Beal Street. Inside the levee on the West bank of the river. Relax for a couple of days and watch the tow-boats work up and down the river just feet from your window. I don't have the phone number handy, but it is on their website (along with a link to check the river stage, although that is usually only a concern in the Spring.)

Charleston --- John's Island County Park. Very nice and reasonably convenient. Contact Charleston County Parks Dept for info.

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