The Civil War would eventually be divided into three regions. It was far easier in the early days of analyzing the war, to break it down by areas of the country—or theatres.

Because of their predominantly eastern location, the battles that took place in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia were put into the region known as the Eastern Theatre—sometimes called “The Cradle of the Conflict.” If taken as a percentage, at least 65-70% of the war, the majority, was fought in this area. Not only were these specific battles associated with one general location, but also with specific commanding general(s)—in this case, Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia (CSA) and unfortunately for the morale of the opposing army, a variety of northern leaders including Irvin McDowell, John Pope, George McClellan, Ambrose Burnside, Joseph Hooker, etc. and their Union Army of the Potomac (USA).

On the same note, the battles that took place in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and other places that today we may think of as the Southeastern U.S., were part of the Western Theatre of battle during the Civil War. These conflicts have also been associated with Joseph Johnston and his Department of the West (CSA) and the daring duo of Ulysses Grant and William Sherman and their Army of West Tennessee (USA).

Finally, there was a Trans-Mississippi Theater that comprised the far-reaching campaigns involving Arizona and New Mexico. These areas were held primarily by the Confederate Army from roughly 1862 until the end of the war.

Driving Tips for Eastern Theater Travel
Mosby Heritage Area—the Northern Virginia area was the workplace of this Confederate ranger, whom historian James McPherson called “the fishbone in the throat of the Union army.” Mosby and his troops made life very difficult for the Union forces stationed anywhere from Leesburg down into the Shenandoah Valley, an area of about 1,800 square miles. Don’t leave the area without stopping at some of his most popular haunts:

• Follow the John Mosby Highway along route 50
• Visit the village of Aldie and the Aldie Mill where one of Mosby’s best adventures took place;
• Go to Mt. Zion Church (Gilbert’s Corner) where John Singleton Mosby fought against the 13 th New York Regiment and 2 nd Massachusetts Cavalry in one of most contested battles in July 1864.
• Turn onto Route 15 North
• Visit Oatlands Plantation. Mosby reconnoitered here many times with his men.
• At Oak Hill, the Ranger bivouacked thanks to one of his closest advisors, Colonel John Fairfax, who bought the home from heirs of President James Monroe who owned the mansion upon its construction in 1823.

Civil War Discovery Trails—Connecting all the major battles of the Eastern Theater, the Maryland and Virginia Civil War Discovery Trails make it possible for you never to miss a thing!

• “Lee Invades Maryland”
• This trail includes Antietam National Battlefield as well as sites such as Campton’s Gap, South Mountain, Monocacy National Battlefield, Boonsboro and White’s Ferry.
• “Invasion & Retreat”
• Only a few miles over the Maryland border is Gettysburg National Military Park. This trail includes often-missed sites of Union Mills, Braddock Heights, the Emmitsburg Union Encampment, Jack Mountain and Point of Rocks.
• “Lee vs. Grant”
• Move into 1864 with this trail. From Fredericksburg to the Wilderness, Yellow Tavern and even the solemn, yet inspiring Guinea Station, site of “Stonewall” Jackson’s death.

Hidden Battlefields in Fairfax County—All over the Northern Virginia area, battlefields hidden by time and developments still beckon us to investigate. Don’t forget to include these in your visit!

• Battle of Ox Hill ( Chantilly)
• Right off present day Fairfax County Parkway and route 50, you can see the area of Ox Hill. Fought right after Second Manassas in 1862, Ox Hill was the skirmish pitting Union General Kearny against Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson. Throughout most of the fight, wind, rain and lightning outlined the soldiers in an unearthly fire.
• Civil War Fort
• In nearby Vienna, a five-point earthenware fort still exists right by the American Legion. Both Union and Confederate soldiers were posted here.
• Dranesville Tavern
• Here, off Route 7 West, J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry met up with Edward Ord’s soldiers while on a foraging expedition toward Georgetown Pike.