Richmond National Battlefield Park

I visited the battle areas around Richmond for the second time this past summer. The trip was more enjoyable for me this time because I knew more about the battles this time before visiting. The view at Malvern Hill is awe inspiring and beautiful. The natural strength of the position held by the union army is illustrated better when seen with the naked eye. The same can be said about the Beaver Dam creek battlefield. Visitors can see the pond that the confederate units had to cross in the face of fire. One thing I would like to see at this battlefield is more trails. One going along the base of the pond/creek up to the road would be nice I'm sure. I was most impressed with the Gaines Mill battlefield this time around. The first time I had visited I did not know about the trail that goes through the woods along with the numerous and interesting markers explaining what had happened around you. This battlefield resembles Gettysburg with its markers, trails, views etc. Something else about the battlefields around Richmond is the nmber of sites that look so ordinary with almost no interpretaion that it looks like the fighting occured yesterday. For example the hills on each side of whote oak swamp held the cannons that were dueoing with each other. These hills and fields are currently still in their pristine state. The battlefiled of Gklendale is still dense woods bordering each side of the road. This is another location that I liked for its unspoiled beauty. I will visit sometime soon again.