Day 1

Begin at the Richmond National Battlefield Park and Civil War Visitor Center, where a Park Ranger will orient you to the Region’s surrounding battlefields and introduce the story of Richmond during the Civil War.

Cold Harbor Battlefield and Visitor Center preserves and  tells the story of The Battle of Cold Harbor, one of the final battles of Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Overland Campaign. It is remembered as one of American history's bloodiest battles.

Nearby is the Gaines’ Mill Battlefield.   On June 27, 1862, this battle resulted in Gen. Robert E. Lee's first victory as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia and was a turning point in the Seven Days’ Battles.

In the afternoon, explore Fort  Harrison  and Fort  Gilmer  and learn about the heroism of the United States Colored Troops (USCT).  On September 29, 1864, Union forces attacked the Richmond defenses at New Market Heights and Fort Harrison.

Day 2

Visit the Chimborazo Medical Museum, the site of the largest military hospital in the world from 1861-1865, where 76,000 patients were treated.

Cross the nearby pedestrian bridge over the James River to Belle Isle, which served as a prison camp for thousands of Union soldiers and was notorious for deplorable conditions.

Enjoy a late afternoon visit to Hollywood Cemetery, the final resting place of Jefferson Davis, 25 Confederate Generals, 18,000 confederate dead and two U.S. Presidents.

Day 3

Lunch in Petersburg at the Pamplin Historical Park located on the site of the battle that ended the Petersburg Campaign and led to the evacuation of the Confederate capital, Richmond.

For more information visit www.OnToRichmond.com