All Things Richmond: Gaines Mill Civil War Re-enactment

Civil war enactors from 4 states to stage demonstrations and re-enactments of the first battle of what is now known as the Seven Days Campaign. Back in 1862 Union troops are within shouting distance of the steeples of Richmond threatening to take the city and possibly end the civil war three years early. Union troops had one major handicap, their General, George P McClellen, who could march his troops magnificently, but was afraid to use them in the battlefield. The confederate side was bolstered by the sudden elevation of Robert E Lee to command of the Army of Northern Virginia. What follow was a vicous series of battles which force the Union army to withdraw and the war to go on. Names such as Fredrericksbug, Gettysburg, Shiloh and another battle at Cold Harbor would teach the world the new meaning of modern warfare.

This weekend you can see close hand the weapons, uniforms and battlefield where history was made and lives were lost. Richmond is laced with such places and this is a good place to start. For more information visit the Richmond National Battlefield NPS website.