Established by Act of Congress on August 30, 1890, this Civil War site marks the end of General Robert E. Lee's first invasion of theNorth in September 1862. The battle claimed more than 23,000 men killed, wounded, and missing in one single day, September 17,1862,and led to Lincoln's issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Sharpsburg, MD 21782-0158
Programs and Information: (301) 432-5124

Walk the old county lanes where Robert E. Lee, commanding general of the Army ofNorthern Virginia, surrendered his men to Ulysses Grant, general-in-chief of allUnited States forces, on April 9, 1865.

The Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center is located 12 miles west of Fredericksburg on Route 3. It is open daily from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with expanded hours in the summer season. Excellent museum exhibits will keep you busy for some time, as you try to imagine the great struggle that took place at Chancellorsville, May 1-3, 1863.

On a hot July day in 1861 two great armies from north and south came together for the first time on the fields overlooking a stream called Bull Run. The naive unprepared troops would soon have their hopes of a short war dashed, as they came face to face with the horrors and carnage of war. By the day's end nearly 900* men lay dead and dying on what the day before had been the peaceful farms of Northern Virginia.

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were determined that the United States Capitol be a meaningful expression of America's new political and social order.

Near dawn on May 4,1864, the leading division of the Army of the Potomac reached Germanna Ford, 18 miles west of Fredericksburg.The spring campaign was under way and it superficially mirrored the strategic situation prior to the battles of Fredericksburg andChancellorsville. A numerically superior Union force, well-supplied, in good spirits, and led by a new commander, moved south towardthe Confederate capital. There, however, the similarities ended. READ MORE...

On October 10, 1850, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal was completed and opened for business along its entire 184.5 mile length from Washington, DC to Cumberland, Maryland. Sections of the canal opened for navigation as they were completed; from Georgetown in Washington, DC to Seneca, Maryland in 1831; then to Harpers Ferry in 1833; to Hancock in 1839; and finally to Cumberland in 1850.

The Ulysses S. Grant Homepage illuminates a figure profoundly misunderstood in history and in popular culture. Often portrayed as a slovenly drunkard, General Grant was actually a modest and moral man, uncommonly devoted to his wife and children. Possessing a keen and understated sense of humor, his droll wit made him something of a raconteur with his friends. Read More...

A sample of Currency issued by Washington DC banks, during the National Bank Note Period.

The Wilderness battlefield does not have a visitor center, but an exhibit shelter located on Rt. 20 provides a visual overview of thecampaign. During the summer season and some weekends in the spring and fall, this shelter is staffed by one of our historians. Thehistorian leads walking tours and will be happy to answer any questions you might have about the battle.