Malvern Hill Battlefield

A good weekend in Richmond with (finally) some remarkable weather. Saturday went to Hondahouse in Hull Street, checked out some of the new 2010 Honda Motorcycles. I am an avid motorcyclist, miss my Vulcan waiting for its next ride in North Carolina, but enjoyed that shop (2nd visit) and some fine people there. Worked Saturday, but on Sunday took a drive down VA Highway 5 to the Malvern Hill Battlefield. One of the many cool things about Richmond is that you can explore sights that were words in a history book many years and classes ago. Much of Civil War was centered in Richmond, and there is a lot to see here of interest.
Malvern "Hill" was not much of a hill but it was high ground. The Union Army had suffered a series of defeats and was heading for the James River in retreat, but stood at Malvern Hill behind a large number of massed guns. On June 1, 1862 the guns blasted Confederate attacks to take the position. Confederate losses were 5,300, Union losses were 3,214. The Union guns were largely loaded with cannister; cans filled with steel balls, making them basically giant shot guns. Charging across open fields, the Confederate forces took heavy losses, and "never gained an inch of ground". As one Confederate general said, it was not war, it was murder.

This is a sign on the battlefield. Lots of good information on the battle, both on the web, and via books. Very nice drive out there, and a very interesting place to visit. From there, drove to Shockoe Bottom where I wandered for a bit. Love going to Shockoe Bottom; it is a fun and interesting part of the city.
Coming back, noted a large number of police on I-95; they were pulling cars over like...well like shooting Confederates at Malvern Hill. Not a city to really be rolling flat out down the highway. Does not work so well in North Carolina where 20 over seems to be the norm when traveling.
Bottom line, a very fun day in Richmond, one of many I have enjoyed so far.