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| Road Trip Map Created Using Google |
Civil War Road Trip Itinerary:
Day 1: Drive to Springfield, Illinois, to see a few Lincoln sites and have lunch. Drive to Litchfield, Illinois, hotel for night.
Day 2: Drive to Mt Vernon, Illinois, for lunch with family. Drive to McLeansboro, Illinois, to visit the grave of my 4th Great Grandfather, John Bannister Standerfer, who was the inspiration for this trip, in the town where he lived most of his life. Drive to Shawneetown, Illinois, where JB mustered into service for the Union. Drive to Wolf Lake, Illinois, for dinner with family. Drive to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, hotel for night.
Day 3: Drive to Memphis, Tennessee, where JB had arrived by river transport and encamped. Drive to Southaven, Mississippi, for dinner with family, hotel for night.
Day 4: Drive to Hernando, Mississippi, where JB's regiment took part in a raid. Drive to Vicksburg, Mississippi, for highlight number one of the trip -- JB fought at the Battle of Vicksburg and has his name on a memorial there!
Day 5: In Vicksburg, Mississippi. The Siege of Vicksburg ended on July 4th, 1863, and we will be celebrating the 4th of July in that same place 154 years later!
Day 6: Drive to Jackson, Mississippi, where JB took part in the Siege of Jackson. Drive to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to visit with friends, hotel for night.
Day 7: In Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Day 8: Drive to New Orleans, Louisiana, where JB arrived by river transport, being among the first Union troops to make the descent of the mighty Mississippi River. JB was discharged due to disability here and thus ended his Civil War journey. Drive to Orange Beach, Alabama, for highlight number two -- our kids' first experience with the ocean.
Day 9: In Orange Beach, Alabama.
Day 10: Drive to Montgomery, Alabama, to fit in a bit of MLK Jr & Civil Rights history along our way. Drive to Gadsden, Alabama, hotel for night.
Day 11: Drive to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to experience Lookout Mountain and some Battles for Chattanooga sites where my husband and I each have an ancestor who served, hotel for night.
Day 12: Explore Chickamauga National Military park where my husband and I each have an ancestor who served. Drive to Cherokee, North Carolina, hotel for night.
Day 13: Experience Mingo Falls and Clingman's Dome. Drive through highlight number three -- Smoky Mountain National Park -- to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, hotel for night.
Day 14: Drive to Maryville, Tennessee, for lunch with family. Drive to Murfreesburo, Tennessee, hotel for night.
Day 15: Explore Stone River National Military Park where my husband and I each have an ancestor who served. Drive to Mammoth Cave National Park to explore. Drive to Horse Cave, Kentucky, hotel for night.
Day 16: Drive to Hodgenville, Kentucky, to see Lincoln's birthplace. Drive to Falls of the Ohio Indiana State Park to explore. Drive to Indianapolis, Indiana, for dinner with friends, hotel for night.
Day 17: Drive home.
I plan (hope) to post along the way as we are experiencing our journey. Stay tuned.