VISITING THE KING & QUEEN OF COUNTRY MUSIC

One of the questions that I am asked most often is of all the cemeteries that I have visited which are the ones that I have enjoyed the most. Without a doubt, Arlington National Cemetery is at the top of the list.

Over the years I have visited Arlington more than a dozen times and visiting our nations most hallowed ground is always an emotional experience. Every single person who is buried in Arlington or any of our National Cemeteries are true heroes who paid the price for the freedom that we enjoy.

Outside of any of our National Cemeteries, there are several cemeteries that I have visited more than once and if given the opportunity I will visit again. So, what are some of my favorite cemeteries.

Nashville Tennessee is probably my favorite city for Cemeteries. Nashville is known as Music City and has a tremendous number of Country Music Stars buried throughout the Nashville Area.

There are several cemeteries in the Nashville Area that I visit every time I am in the area. One of the First cemetery that I almost always visit when In Nashville is Spring Hill Cemetery located a few miles north of Opryland and downtown Nashville.

Spring Hill is one of the most star-studded cemeteries in the Nashville Area and as you enter the cemetery you are greeted by the King of Country Music. The Grave of Roy Acuff, his wife Mildred and his parents are located just inside the entrance. 

From 1938 until his death in 1992, Mr. Acuff was not only a member of the Grand Ole Opry, but also the shows most popular ambassadors. Each week Roy Acuff and his Smokey Mountain Boys would thrill Opry fans with his signature song, “The Wabash Cannonball,” along with the first song he ever performed on the Opry, “The Great Speckled Bird.”

Roy Acuff was so beloved that when the Opry Moved from the Ryman Auditorium to a new building at Opryland in 1974, they also built him a home just outside the stage door of the New Opry House.

Just across the road from Mr. Acuff’s is the grave of Bluegrass star Jimmy Martin who is a member of both the Bluegrass and Country Music Hall of Fames. While Jimmy Martin performed several times on the Grand Ole Opry, strangely he was never invited to become an Opry Member.

Jimmy was known for his temper and his love of alcohol which fueled his volatile personality. He often found himself involved in confrontations with the Opry Management and other influential members of the Opry.

Located just to the left of the Grave of Roy Acuff are the graves of husband-and-wife duo, Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright.  While Roy Acuff is known as the “King of Country Music,” Kitty Well was known as the “Queen of Country Music.”  Kitty’s Husband, Johnnie Wright performed with Jack Anglin to form popular duo known as Johnnie and Jack.  After Jack Anglin died in a car crash on the way to the Funeral of Patsy Cline, Johnnie joined Kitty and continued to perform on the Grand Ole Opry.

How fitting is it that both the King and Queen of Country Music are buried so close to each other at the entrance to Spring Hill Cemetery.

Just a short walk from the graves of Kitty Wells and Roy Acuff are the graves of two more Country Music Hall of Famers, Hank Snow and Earl Scruggs.

Hank Snow was a native of Canada where he made a name for himself as a country music performer. Hank was Invited to Join the Opry on January 7, 1950, on the recommendation of Ernest Tubb. During his 46-years on the Grand Ole Opry, “The Singing Ranger,” was known for such hit songs as “I’m Movin’ On,” “I Don’t Hurt Anymore,” and “I’ve Been Everywhere.”

On a side note, Hank and his wife lived here in Nashville, and today visitors can spend the night in their home as it is utilized as an Ari B and B.

Almost directly behind the Graves of Roy Acuff and Kitty Wells is the grave of banjo picker Earl Scruggs. Earl got his start as a member of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass boys where he met Guitar player Lester Flatt.  The two would leave the Blue Grass Boys and form their own group, Foggy Mountain Boys.

Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys were one of the most popular groups on the Grand Ole Opry and performed the popular Theme song for one of the Opry Sponsors, Marth White Flour.

Later, the Duo performed the theme songs for the “Beverly Hillbillies” and “Petticoat Junction,” TV Shows.

Earl Scruggs revolutionized the sound of the 5-string banjo by developing his unique three finger picking style. His style of picking made famous such tunes as “Earl’s Breakdown,”  “The Foggy Mountain Breakdown,” and the “Flint Hill Special.”

In my past visits I have made my way through this rather large cemetery and visited the graves of several other Country Music Stars who are buried in this cemetery. People Like:

Speck Rhodes, a Country Comedian who gained fame appearing with Porter Wagoner on both his TV Show and on the Grand Ole Opry.

George Morgan, who was one of the Grand Ole Opry’s most popular Stars. His signature sone was “Candy Kisses,” and his is the father of country Music Star Lorrie Morgan and the Father-in-Law of Keith Whitley who is also buried nearby.

Floyd Cramer was a self-taught pianist renowned as one of the architects of the "Nashville Sound." In 1955, he moved to Nashville and became one of the most sought-after session musicians in the city. He played on sessions for Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline, Perry Como, Chet Atkins, Boots Randolph, and Elvis Presley. 

Pete Drake was one of country music’s best peddle steel guitar players. When he was 18 years old, he visited Nashville and became fascinated by the steel guitar sounds of musician Jerry Byrd. He returned home and built his own steel guitar and taught himself to play it. He formed his own band, "The Sons of the South" which included future country star musicians Joe South, Roger Miller, Doug Kershaw, Jerry Reed, and Jack Greene. In 1959 he moved to Nashville and started touring with Marty Robbins, and Don Gibson. But he soon gave up touring to focus on becoming a studio musician and working as a member of the Grand Ole Opry Staff Band.

Howard Forrester was a longtime member of Roy Acuff’s Smokey Mountain Boys, He is regarded as one of the best and most accomplished fiddle players in country music. In 1951, he joined Roy Acuff's "Smoky Mountain Boys," which became one of the most popular groups ever to appear on the Grand Ole Opry, and he remained with the group until his death.

Billy Walker was one of several Texas Honky Tonk singer that left Texas and eventually found success in Nashville. His career took off when he joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1960 and in 1962 recorded his first number one hit "Charlie's Shoes." Other number one hits included, "Cross the Brazos at Waco," "Word Games" and "When a Man Loves a Woman." He had over thirty top ten hits and was recognized by Billboard Magazine as one of the "Top Twenty" most played artists of all time. Known as "The Traveling Texan, he was killed, along with his wife and two band members, on an Alabama highway when their vehicle wrecked while returning from a concert.

There are several notable personalities resting in Spring Hill Cemetery that I haven’t visited. I hope to return for another visit in the Near future to visit the graves of such stars as:

Jimmy Capps, a noted guitarist who was a member of the Grand Ole Opry Staff Band for over 50 years.

Charlie Collins, a long-time member of Roy Acuff’s Smokey Mountain Boys.

Bunny Biggs, who was known as “Jamup” from the Grand Ole Opry Comedy Team, “Jamup & Honey.”

John Hartford, a Country, and Bluegrass musician who was also a noted song writer who is best known s probably best known for composing the popular song "Gentle on My Mind,"

Jan Howard, One of the Grand Ladies of the Grand Ole Opry. She was an Opry Member for over 50-years.

Jeannie Seely, another of the Grand Ladies of the Grand Ole Opry. She was an Opry Member for almost 60 years and was the first female member to regularly host and Opry Segment.

Keith Whitley, a popular country music star who was married to Lorrie Morgan, the daughter of Country Music icon George Morgan.

That will wrap up this visit to Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee. Next time I will visit another one of my favorite Nashville Cemetery’s

GREEN MOUNT CEMETERY - THE GRAVE OF JOHN WILKES BOOTH & OTHER

 

In my last entry, I told you that I am a Taphophile, or someone who is fascinated by cemeteries. I also talked about some of my rather unpleasant experiences when visiting cemeteries. ,

Without a doubt my most unpleasant and dangerous experience occurred earlier this year in Baltimore, Maryland, I think I am kind when I call it a disgusting city. Anyway, I don’t have anything good to say about Downtown Baltimore, so I won’t say anything else.

The reason I was in Baltimore was I wanted to visit historic Green Mount Cemetery.  And although I failed in my most recent attempt to visit, I did visit it back in 2001 and even then I found that the cemetery wasn’t in the best part of town, but it was nothing like what I found this time.

Back in 2001 it did manage to take a few photos of some of the more notable people that are resting in this large cemetery. While there are a number of notable people buried here, there were three that I really wanted to find.

JOHN WILKES BOOTH

The first and probably most notable person buried in Green Mount Cemetery is John Wilkes Booth. The man who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865, at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D. C.

After he fatally shot President Lincoln, Booth manage to escape and fled across the Anacostia River into Maryland. Several days later he crossed the Potomac River near  Port Royal, Virginia where he and his companion David Herold shelter in a barn that was owned by the Garrett Family. 

While in the barn, Union soldiers caught up with the fugitives. Herold surrendered, but Booth refused and was eventually shot by a soldier named Boston Corbett and died a short time later.

Booth was originally buried buried at the Arsenal Penitentiary in Washington, D.C., But in 1869 the government released his body to his family who had his remains disinterred and moved to the Booth family plot in Baltimore’s Green Mount Cemetery.

His grave was initially unmarked and today is only marked by a small, unmarked white stone in the corner of the family plot.

 GENERAL JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON.

The second grave that I wanted to visit was that of Civil War General Joseph E. Johnston who attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in the same class as General Robert E. Lee.

After Virginia declared secession from the United States in 1861, General Johnston entered the Confederate States Army as one of its most senior officers during the War.

Most people associate the end of the Civil War with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox.  At Appomattox, General Lee surrendered 28,000 troop attached to his Army of Northern Virginia.

Before and after General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, General Johnston, was still fighting with the Union Army in North Carolina.  A little over two weeks after Appomattox General Johnston surrendered more than 89,000 troops to Union General William T. Sherman. that was being Led by General William T. Sherman. This was the larges surrender of the entire war.

After the War General Johnson and General Sherman became close friends. They corresponded and visited with each other often. In fact the two men became so close that when General Sherman died on February 14, 1891, General Johnston was one of his pallbearers

General Sherman’s funeral was held in New York City on a cold and rainy day. As the funeral procession made it’s way through the streets of the city, General Johnson’s walked the entire length of the procession bare headed out of respect for his dear friend.

It is widely attributed that because he walked the entire length of the procession without a hat, he caught a terrible cold that turned into pneumonia which claimed his life a little over a month later on March 21, 1891. General Johnson also served as a pallbearer at the funeral of General Ulysses S. Grand in 1885.

JOHNS HOPKINS

The last grave that I really wanted to find was that of Financier and Philanthropist, Johns Hopkins. During his life he was involved in a number of profitable financial ventures including the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which was used to Transport Union Troops during the Civil War.

He was also the President of the Merchant’s Bank as well as a number of other investment that ended up making him a lot of money. When he died on December 24, 1873, he left more than 7 million dollars which was used to fund what would become Johns Hopkins University and Hospital.

SAMUEL ARNOLD

Come to find out, John Wilkes Booth is not the only Lincoln Conspirator that is buried in this cemetery.  Samuel Arnold, was a confederate sympathizer that Joined the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He was discharged in 1864 for health reasons.

After his discharge, Arnold returned to Baltimore and in the late summer of 1864, he was recruited by Booth to be part of the kidnap plot.^] Bored and unemployed, Arnold accepted. On March 15, 1865, the conspirators met at Gautier's Restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue to discuss the plot to kidnap President Lincoln.

They attempted to Kidnap President Lincoln twice but failed because Lincoln was not where they thought he would be. After the kidnapping failed, the plot moved from kidnapping Lincoln to actually Assassinating him. Arnold wanted not part of the murder plot and took a job at Old Point Comfort in Virginia

After Booth assassinated Lincoln on April 14, 1865, Arnold was arrested from his job in Virginia on suspicion of complicity. He admitted his part in the plot to kidnap Lincoln, and his co-workers supported his contention of being in Virginia at the time of the assassination.

Arnold was found guilty of conspiracy by a military tribunal and sentenced to life in prison at Fort Jefferson, along with Dr.  Samuel Mudd, Michael O'Laughlen, and Edmund Spangler. In 1869, Arnold, Mudd, and Spangler were released after being pardoned by President Andrew Johnson (O'Laughlen died in prison in 1867).

After being pardoned, Samuel Arnold returned home, he lived quietly out of the public eye for more than thirty years. In 1898, he returned to Fort Jefferson and took photographs of his old prison, but the photographs have not survived.

In 1902, Arnold wrote a series of newspaper articles for the Baltimore American describing his imprisonment at Fort Jefferson. Samuel Arnold died at the age of 72, on September 21, 1906.  The only conspirator who survived him was John Surratt.

There are a number of other notable people buried in this cemetery. As much as I would like to some day return and visit them, I don't think endanger myself by returning to Baltimore. 

I AM A TAPHOPHILE

 I am a Taphophile! What the heck is that, you ask? Well, for many years I have been fascinated by cemeteries and graveyards. Especially those that are historic and are the final resting place of notable people.

A few Months back I was visiting a cemetery and ran into a fellow who approached me and introduced himself and said, “It’s always good to meet another taphophile.” I had no idea what he was talking about but didn’t let on.

So, when I got back home, I did a little research and found out what exactly a taphophile is. And here is the definition in a nutshell.

Taphophile: A person who loves, studies, or frequently visits cemeteries and graveyards. Taphophiles often explore cemeteries to appreciate their history, art, architecture, and tranquil atmosphere. They are also frequently referred to as tombstone tourists. They often engage in photographing monuments, studying genealogy, reading epitaphs, or researching the lives of those buried.

Yes, I am a Taphophile and have been most of my adult life. I just enjoy the history and art that are found in some of the more historic cemeteries.

On thing that I am often as is what is the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard. Well, a Graveyard is burial ground that is located on church property and administered by the church.

A cemetery is usually not affiliated with a church or particular religion or place of worship and are often designed as a park like setting.

And one more thing. There is a difference between a Cemetery and a Memorial Park. A cemetery has upright headstones and monuments, while a memorial park has all flat markers.

So, now you know more about topophilia that you ever wanted to know.  Over the years I have visited small cemeteries, large cemeteries, church graveyards and National Cemeteries and have very rarely had a problem. But sometimes there are issues.

Back in 2018, I was at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. I was there to visit the grave of depression era outlaw Bonnie Parker, or Bonnie and Clyde fame. Bonnie’s grave is located behind some landscaping shrubs and as soon as I made my way around the hedges, I saw what appeared to be two homeless men laying on the ground right next to her grave.

As I cautiously approached the grave, one of the men stood up and told me that it would cost me $5.00. I tried to ignore him, but he was insistent and I finally told Him would go to the Cemetery Office. If I needed to pay to visit the grave I would do so there. I turned and walked briskly back to my car. On the way out I saw a cemetery worker who called security. The cemetery worker said they are there all the time and security will run them off and they are back the next day.

The security guard arrived a few minutes later and in fact did escort them off the property.

Another issuer I had was at a rather large catholic cemetery near Miami, Florida. There were several notable people resting here that I wanted to visit. One of which was, Entertainer and Actor Jackie Gleason. Just as I arrived at his grave and parked, I was approached by a security guard in a golf cart who informed me that photos and video were prohibited. He also informed me that only relatives and authorized guests were permitted to visit the cemetery. With that he asked me to leave and escorted me to the exit.

Some cemeteries that I have tried to visit over the years are Not in the best part of town. The first time I encountered this was back in 2006 when I visited the Grave of Bonnie Parker’s partner in crime, Clyde Barrow.

Clyde Barrow, His brother Marvin “Buck” Barrow and their parents are buried in Western Heights Cemetery in Southwest Dallas.  This area of Dallas is in a crappy part of town. Many of the businesses have been abandoned and those that were open had bars over their windows and doors.

Online reviews from those who had previously visited the Barrow Graves said to “always be alert. This was a high crime area even when visiting in the daytime. But, despite these warnings I decided to visit anyway. 

While I didn’t have any problems, it was definitely in a less than desirable part of town.

The most frightening experience I had was when I recently tried to visit Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland. Now, I had been here back in 2001and I knew that this cemetery was not in the best part of the city. But I didn’t encounter any real problems during that visit. That would not be the case when I tried to visit earlier this year.

I was not prepared for what I would see and encounter as I drove deeper into the city. If you want to see urban blight, then just drive through downtown Baltimore.  Most of the Building were vacant and many had been gutted by fire. I later learned that most of the fire damage  was caused by the Civil Unrest that occurred from April 18 – May 4, 2015. There were only a few businesses open and even those had medal bars on the doors and windows with some rather despicable looking people standing out front.

 On a couple of occasions, When I slowed down or stop at traffic signals my car was surround by a number of individuals, who banged on my car and windows demanding money.

It was at this point that I decided to forget about visiting the Cemetery and just get the heck out of town. I didn’t slow down or stop at traffic signals, deciding that a traffic ticket from a police officer would be a better option than getting robbed or carjacked by the gutter trash that was everywhere in this city.

 I have traveled to 44 of the 50 states and I will tell you that Baltimore, Maryland is the worst city that I have ever experienced. There is absolutely nothing good in downtown Baltimore.

Later, when I was safely out of the city, I read some online reviews for visiting the cemetery.

“…Not a safe place. DON’T GO!”

“Baltimore is not a safe place, if you value your safety, stay away from downtown.”

“Be aware of your surrounding at all times. Be alert. Do not visit this cemetery alone.”

“Say away is the best advice I can give. The entire area surrounding the cemetery is considered high-risk due to persistent violent crime, open-air drug markets, and blight.”

So, I must admit that I failed in my second attempt to visit the Grave of John Wilkes Booth and some of the other notable people who are buried in this cemetery.

DID VCU END HUBERTS TIME AT CAROLINA

When VCU sent Carolina home from the NCAA Tournament in Greenville, the predictable melt down of the Carolina Fan Base has been fun to watch. Even before the Carolina Team arrived back in Chapel Hill, the fan base was throwing out a wish list of names they want to see replace Hubert. The fanbase thinks that just the Name Carolina will be enough for them to get whoever they want. Maybe at one time but I don’t think that is the case anymore.  There are some interesting and probably unrealistic names on the list.

Perhaps the most popular name on the list is:

Jay Wright – The former Villanova Coach who has been retired since about 2022. I don’t see him returning to take over a program where its National Championship or Nothing.

Dan Hurley – The Current UCON Coach. He turned down a hug contract from the L. A. Lakers to stay at UCONN. I don’t seeing him leaving a program where he is the Big Huskie and can get just about anything he wants.

Tony Bennet – Not gonna happen. He left UVA because he didn’t want to deal with NIL and the Transfer Portal. Both have only gotten worse. Plus he just took a job with the Lakers.

Mark Few – He is a good Coach and has Gonzaga in the Big Dance every year. But he has a good life in Spokane and has turned down other high profile offers to stay in Spokane.

Billy Donovan The former Florida Coach who led the Gators to Back to Back National Championship and the Current Coach of the Chicago Bulls. Just don’t see him leaving the pros to come and coach an NBA Farm Team. Plus he has no experience in the era of NIL and the Transfer Portal where the players call the shots.

Scott Drew – He has been at Baylor since 2003 – He is settled and he ain’t leaving.

John Calipari – He left Kentucky (before they fired him) to take the job at Arkansas. Don’t see him leaving a place where he has reenergized the fan base and Program for a school that has unrealistic expectations. 

Rick Pitino – A journeyman who has coached at about 8 different Division 1 Schools plus a less than notable stint at the coach of the New York Knicks. While he has won at just about every Division 1 school he has also run afoul of the NCAA and left just about every school on Probation. This one is interesting, because a school with an AD named Bubba hired a former Pro Football Coach with questionable reputation and ethics to head their Football Program.

There are some coaches who have just completed or are still active in the NCAA Tournament who the fanbase wants. Are these coaches just a flash in the pan or is it possible that the fanbase would accept someone from outside of the Carolina Family.

Nate Oates – Alabama

Mark Byington – Vanderbilt

Todd Golden – Florida

T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa

Of those four names, I think Todd Golden is probably the most likely to at least entertain a conversation with Carolina. But I still feel that it's a long shot for him to leave the SEC who has a rich TV deal for the ACC whose TV Revenue is less than half of what schools in the SEC get. 

Plus there is a distinct possibility that there will be another high profile job open up sooner rather than later. Kansas Coach Bill Self hint that his coaching tenure at Kansas may be coming to an end. He has had some recent health issues that he  must consider before he commits to return to the Jayhawk bench. Right now if Carolina has to compete with Kansas for some to the high profile coaches. I think Kansas will win out because first the Big 12 is a Much better conference  than the ACC. , 

On final thought. If Carolina does fire Hubert they had better have their may already lined up. Do you think it is one of the name mentioned here.Or do you think it will be someone completely off the radar. 

LOOKING BACK AT 2025 - PART 3

 This will be the final part of My 2025 Travel Review as I am getting ready to kickoff 2026 with my Annual Trip to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. But before I get to 2026, let’s finish up with 2025.

After returning home from my trip out through the upper Midwest, I stayed close to home for the rest of the year with a short day trip down to Saltville, Virginia. Saltville is known as the title "Salt Capital of the Confederacy" because of its industrial-scale salt works. Saltville produced up to two-thirds of the salt necessary to preserve food and cure leather for Confederate forces during the Civil War. Saltville along with the lead mines near Wytheville were vital to the Confederate Army and both were often targets of Union Forces

After the Civil War, the industrial salt works continued to operate for more than a hundred years. Finally, the Environmental Protection Agency forced the Olin Corporation to close its operation after finding massive amount of mercury in the North Fork of the Holston River.

Saltville was also the home of Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell, who was the sister of the famous orator and Governor of Virginia, Patrick Henry. She married General William Campbell who was the Hero of the Battle of Kings Mountain during the Revolutionary War.

After General Campbell Died, She Married General William Russell. The couple moved to Saltville where Elizabeth became seriously involved in the Methodist Church. She is credited with bringing Methodism to western Virginia and Upper East Tennessee. The Madam Russell United Methodist Church in Saltville was named in her honor.

For my last trip of the year, I chose to stay in Virginia. This was a trip that really had no planning and really just progressed hour by hour and day by day. My first stop was a visit to Luray Caverns. I had been to Luray Several time but hadn’t been to the Caverns in about 30-years.

I was a good start to the trip. I remembered a few thing from my previous visit but a lot of it I didn’t remember. The last time I was here I was part of a group who participated in a guided tour. This time I was alone and could explore one of Virginia’s Largest Caverns at my own pace.

From Luray, I drove up and spent the Night in Winchester. The next day I drove over to Manassas and toured the Manassas National Battlefield. This was one of the first battles of the Civil War and it was here that General Barnard Bee of South Carolina urged his troops to “Rally around the Virginian’s, There Stands Jackson Like a Stone Wall.” From that day forward, General Thomas J. Jackson was known as “Stonewall”
Jackson.

While important parts of the battlefield has been protected, it is rally sad to see businesses and home encroaching on the battlefield boundaries every day.

I spent most of the morning touring the battlefield and I seriously considered staying in the area and riding the Washington Metro into Washington D.C. However, with the current political climate and the number of large protest taking place on a daily basis in our Nations Capital, I decided to abandon those plans.

I ended up making the short drive down to Fredericksburg and Visited the Wilderness and Chancellorsville Battlefields. It was here during the Battle of Chancellorsville that General Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded by his own Men.

He was taken to Nearby Elwood Plantation where his left arm was Amputated. After the surgery he was moved about 30 miles away to the Chandler Farm at Guinea Station where he died on May 10, 1863.

From Chancellorsville, where General Jackson was wounded, I made the short drive over to Elwood Plantation where General Jackson’s Left arm is buried in a small grave about 100-yards from the main house.

I spent the Night in Fredericksburg, and the next morning made my way down through Richmond to the Colonial Area of the Commonwealth. I had wanted to visit some of the presidential Plantation along the James River. However, Sherwood Forest, the birthplace of President John Tyler is still private residence and is open by appointment only.  I could have toured the grounds but decided not to when I found out that Near by Berkley Plantation, the birthplace of President William Henry Harrison was closed for a private event.

So, I continued and ended up in Yorktown. In recent years, I have visited both Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown. But it has been several years since I have visited Yorktown. The last time was about 10 years ago and I only had limited time to spend there. This time I had most of the afternoon to do the driving tour of the battlefield where the Revolutionary War ended.

I spent the rest of the afternoon following the map I had picked up at the Visitors Center driving around the battlefield. I also spent an hour or so walking around the town and seeing some of the old Historic Buildings. I must say, Yorktown is very tourist friendly as most of the historic buildings are either highlighted on the map of there are historic plaques nearby.

I spent the night in Williamsburg, and the nest morning began my journey back toward home. On the way I decided to stop off in Petersburg and visit a few of the sites associated with the siege of Petersburg during the Civil War.

One of the places that I have wanted to visit but never found the time was City Point. So, today I had the time and made my way down to the confluence of the James and Appomattox Rivers.

City Point was significant site during the Civil War as it sits as the confluence of the James and Appomattox Rivers. It served as General Ulysses S. Grant's crucial supply base and headquarters during the Siege of Petersburg in 1864 and 1865.

From City Point it was a short drive over to the Blandford Church and Cemetery.  The Blandford Church is now a museum and is known for its amazing stained-glass windows. The 15-windows were commissioned by the Ladies Memorial Association in memory of the soldiers buried in the Adjacent Cemetery.

The windows were completely designed and installed between 1901 and 1912, under the direction of Louis Comfort Tiffany of New York. Mr. Tiffany charged the Ladies Association $350 per window plus $35 for installation of each 15 window. Today, these amazing windows are priceless.

I opted to pay for the guided tour of the Church, and I must say the lady that conducted my tour was amazing. She also pointed out a number of historic graves in the large adjacent cemetery.

Before leaving the Cemetery, I made a quick stop at the Grave of actor Joseph Cotton. He was born here in Petersburg on May 15, 1905, and when on to become a noted actor both on Broadway and in the Movies. He died in Los Angeles California on February 6, 1994, and is buried here with his parents and other members of his family in the family plot.

Petersburg was the last stop on this little adventure. It was mid-afternoon and after a quick stop as a WaWa I headed west on Route 460 arriving home about 7:30 p.m.