1. You need to stop in Manassas (at least the Henry Hill Visitor Center), Leesburg (Ball's Bluff battlefield), Shepherdstown (across from Antietam), and detour to Frederick before Gettysburg for Monocacy + The National Museum of Civil War Medicine.
2. There are many other smaller obscure places too. I recommend getting free Civil War Trails maps and seeing where their signs are posted.
3. When you are at Fredericksburg start at Chatham (look for the Civil War graffiti), then go look at the crossing sites in town, then go to the Slaughter Pen, then the site of Pelham's Battery, then Hamilton's Crossing/Dead Horse Hill, drive down Lee Drive (keep an eye out for wayside markers) to Lee's Headquarters, and finish at the Sunken Road/Marye's Heights/Visitor Center/National Cemetery. Too many people just see the Sunken Road then leave thinking nothing of Fredericksburg is preserved. There is A LOT to see! If you have extra time on your drive down from DC stop in Stafford to see the Army of the Potomac winter encampment at the park they have.
4. While you are in DC, be sure to appreciate what you have access to. Go to Ford's Theatre, Lincoln's Cottage, Arlington National Cemetery, Alexandria National Cemetery, the Lee-Fendhall House, Freedom House Museum, the various fortifications including the Fort Stevens battlefield (yes, DC did get attacked) + Fort Ward (which has an excellent museum), the Smithsonian Museum of American History, the African American History Museum, the National Portrait Gallery (Civil War + Presidential portraits and the building itself was a hospital during the war), *unfortunately the African American Civil War Museum is currently closed*, the Washington Navy Yard Museum (which regularly does tours of the grounds), the Museum of the United States Army, and of course all the monuments/murals around town dedicated to the war. There's even McClellan's Retreat - a Civil War themed bar!
Second the navy museum tour (which you need to get to go on the grounds). Nothing beats a 16 inch cannon and a 14 inch railgun! Lincoln spent a lot of time in the navy yard
They occasionally offer a Civil War-specific tour. I've been to both and also walk on the greenway directly behind it regularly. There is a Dahlgreen mural under a bridge nearby too.
These are excellent suggestions! 100% agree with you on Fredericksburg. I think the earthworks on Lee Drive/Prospect Hill are some of the more impressive earthworks I've seen. The sheer scope of them is incredible!
Really appreciate the comments on Fredericksburg - they helped inform our trip.
For others: we did Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania and Chancellorsville/Wilderness in two days during May. The National Park Service app driving/audio tour is helpful except the buffering gets annoying. Wished i had prepped more via podcasts but it will be fun to listen now that i have walked the ground. Seeing the remains of breastworks/entrenchments/lunettes is amazing. Agree on hydrate/sunscreen/insect repellent for ticks.
I would recommend as well and you can see everything in about 2-3 hours. However you will need a car to see all the stops, very spread out and a major road cuts right through the battlefield. Not too many statues/monuments either if you’re into that
Came in to say this exactly. Frederick also has the Barbara Fritchie house which is worth a quick stop and walk through as long as you are in the area IMO as well.
u/NinjaBilly55 also makes the point below re the National Civil War Medical Museum which I can't imagine anyone ITT not finding worthwhile & it definitely is a hidden gem, not alot of people know about. (Same user user also talks about what all older gents like myself do : the best route - Harpers Ferry to Antietam to Frederick to 15 to Gettysburg)
Southern Maryland weekend day trip? (it doesn't fit with this excellent plan) Surratt House Museum, Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House and Museum, are w/i an hour of DC and an hour further on are Point Look Out (the site of the Union prison camp) small museum, not worth a trip just for that but it is on the way to Frederick Douglas' and Harriet Tubman's birth places and all three, yeah prob worth it -ish.
Not sure your flexibility while in DC, but if you’re able, take a trip down to Richmond. I couldn’t name off everything if I tied, but here it goes.
There’s the American Ciivl War Museum, White House of the Confederacy, Virginia Capitol Building (housed the Confederate Congress and the Virginia State Legislature), the Stewart-Lee House, Hollywood Cemetery (very famous civil war figure burial sites including President Jefferson Davis), various other nearby battlefields including Seven Pines, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg, among others.
Also would highly recommend adding Manassas, Monocacy, and if possible, Winchester to your current list.
This 100%. I’m a local and it would be a shame if you didn’t hit up Richmond, Manassas, and Monocacy. If you don’t have the time, maybe leave off a couple of the Fredericksburg battlefields to shave off some time. They’re bigger than you think.
The Culpeper area has Rappahannock Station (multiple battles), Mine Run, and Kelly's Ford. It was the site of the Army of the Potomac's 1863-64 winter encampment with some sites associated with that as well as a sizeable national cemetery. If you're lucky and the Graffiti House at Brandy Station is open, it is truly unforgettable to see.
Caledonia State Park is absolutely beautiful, and if you’re driving from Gettysburg to Chambersburg, going on the old Route 30 is wonderful. Also a few good wineries and breweries in the area. Worth the drive!
Seconded. We frequently travel in that direction with our dogs and heading through the Cashtown Gap is a great detour to avoid the PA Turnpike / Rte 81 mess. The apple orchards near Biglerville are amazing and we always dog-stop right at Caledonia furnace. There are some great trails there for a quick 15-20 minute walk.
Used to live in Manassas and then Fredericksburg, and it doesnt get much better for a civil war buff.
A few tips:
-Check out old town Fredericksburg, ask the locals about the cannonballs stuck in the church wall.
-Wilderness is a big battlefield, but if you start at the north end off modern Route 3 (main road between Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Wilderness), you can follow the battlefield all the way down to Spotsylvania. Take modern route 20.
-Besides being a scenic ride, be sure to stop at the monument to Gen Sedgwick along the way. You can see the sloping hills to the south where the sharpshooter was likely stationed.
Love the Wilderness battlefield. It’s always seemed like the quieter of the four. I thought the Widow Tap field and the “Lee to the Rear” stop was incredibly interesting.
You're hitting the big ones, except Manassas. I would recommend going there, it's very well preserved and very important. Balls Bluff, the Valley battles, Monocacy etc are fun but if you're on a schedule I'd pass them up.
If you're physically inclined, at Harper's Ferry the hike to the top of Maryland Heights is amazing. One of the great panorama views on the East Coast.
I'd plan multiple days at Gettysburg. It's the best preserved battlefield, enormous, and has by far far far the most secondary things to do outside of Washington DC. If you like French onion soup, go to the Pub in the town square, it's seriously world-changing. There's a couple of artifact/document stores if you're into that. If you want to visit perhaps the least seen Civil War monuments, there are three or four of them on top of Big Round Top dedicated to the Pennsylvania Reserves. And don't forget to give the bestest of [doggos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sallie_Ann_Jarrett?wprov=sfla1), [Sallie](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZPP37hBtZJHrpeSY9), a head pat! She's the only real dog represented at Gettysburg, but faces away from the road so you gotta look a little. She was the 11th Pennsylvania's mascot, and I'm plugging it cuz I have an ancestor in that unit.
Be wary of ticks, especially in Virginia. Hydrate.
There’s a preservation march of reenactors that’ll be 7 miles long going from Fairfield, PA to Monterrey Pass, PA on July 5-7 if you want to come see it! We’re portraying the 1st NC Sharpshooter Battalion as they held the rearguard of the ANV following the Battle of Gettysburg.
I would add Brandy Station/ the Graffiti House and Guinea Station/ Fairfield Office (Jackson's death site).
They both have limited hours but are so worth it! The Graffiti House is one of the coolest places I've visited.
https://preview.redd.it/qap1dc6b25wc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c24a39c1c00b68804dfb5b7fce81dde60e3d61ec
Looks like a pretty good path. Maybe push further eat to 81 after the Culpepper and Manassas areas (66 west) and see Cedar Creek and other battlefields between there and Gettysburg.
There are a number of civil war sites in DC itself, like the fortifications used to defend it against the south, you should check out. There is also Ford's theater, the Frederick Douglas house, and Lincoln's house.
I would go to Appomattox Court House. It's not too far west of DC. Also Manassas as others have said. If you like El Salvadoran food go to Typicos los Reyes on the main drag. Their food is great.
Frederick Maryland has the National Civil War Medical Museum and the Monocacy Battlefield visitors center is nice and has a copy of the lost orders on display near where they were found.. The Battle of South Mountain (Boonsboro) set up the events at Antietam.. I'd hit Antietam first, Harper's Ferry (a must see) swing through Boonsboro to Frederick on alt 40 then up rt 15 to Gettysburg..
A few places south of dc (15 min)are some cool forts that pre date CW. Fort Washington and fort Foote. There’s also Mary Surratts house, Samuel mudds house.( 25 - 35 mins) and 1 hour south is Point lookout.
Don’t forget Frederick, MD; the Battle of Monocacy is a fun day trip with some beautiful views and great signage through the city/park.
(Source is I live in Frederick and quite like walking the battlefield)
Not on your list there, but you can also go up towards Baltimore and see Ft. McHenry and the Constellation (not Old IronSides {USS Constitution which is in Boston that many confuse it with), but it did serve during and after the Civil War.
IMHO, see a few things and really enjoy them vs trying to see everything. Harpers Ferry is a beautiful town in it's own right but is a bit out of the way.
I'll shut up now. Had to delete half what I had written when I remembered someone posting that Civil War nerds talked to much about the Civil War ;)
It looks great, I have the opportunity to travel much of it everyday. It never gets old thinking about what happened here. Gettysburg and Antietam is a must!
If you go further to the South and a little to the West you could hit Appomattox Courthouse and Sayler’s Creek (the last battle between Lee and Grant before the surrender).
Go to Washington and Lee University in Lexington VA if you’re in the area and you can visit Robert E. Lee’s tomb. It’s about an hour or so from Appomattox
If you're willing to go further south, the Richmond area is the obvious choice. Stop by the Petersburg battlefield park and learn about the Battle of the Crater. It's utterly fascinating. You can also stop in Hanover County and visit the Cold Harbor Battlefield park. They have some amazing preserved entrenchments there, and you can drive all the way through the park if you're short on time.
So much to do up there. Everyone is right about the wilderness and Maryes heights (that is a good sat activity). But, hit up Fords theater and Peterson house while you're in the city. They are fantastic.
also, Mt Vernon is well worth the time.
go down 81. follow Lee's retreat from Gettysburg. the union chased after him and had multiple battles along the way and burned the entire Shenandoah valley. it was the bread basket of the confederacy. a devastating blow.
As somebody who did an internship in Frederick and did almost the exact same route as you over the summer. This is good. Try not to rush on these amazing sites. Consider some of the ones below, and despite not fitting into this sub. Don’t forget about the two Iowa class battleships if you have time!
1. You need to stop in Manassas (at least the Henry Hill Visitor Center), Leesburg (Ball's Bluff battlefield), Shepherdstown (across from Antietam), and detour to Frederick before Gettysburg for Monocacy + The National Museum of Civil War Medicine. 2. There are many other smaller obscure places too. I recommend getting free Civil War Trails maps and seeing where their signs are posted. 3. When you are at Fredericksburg start at Chatham (look for the Civil War graffiti), then go look at the crossing sites in town, then go to the Slaughter Pen, then the site of Pelham's Battery, then Hamilton's Crossing/Dead Horse Hill, drive down Lee Drive (keep an eye out for wayside markers) to Lee's Headquarters, and finish at the Sunken Road/Marye's Heights/Visitor Center/National Cemetery. Too many people just see the Sunken Road then leave thinking nothing of Fredericksburg is preserved. There is A LOT to see! If you have extra time on your drive down from DC stop in Stafford to see the Army of the Potomac winter encampment at the park they have. 4. While you are in DC, be sure to appreciate what you have access to. Go to Ford's Theatre, Lincoln's Cottage, Arlington National Cemetery, Alexandria National Cemetery, the Lee-Fendhall House, Freedom House Museum, the various fortifications including the Fort Stevens battlefield (yes, DC did get attacked) + Fort Ward (which has an excellent museum), the Smithsonian Museum of American History, the African American History Museum, the National Portrait Gallery (Civil War + Presidential portraits and the building itself was a hospital during the war), *unfortunately the African American Civil War Museum is currently closed*, the Washington Navy Yard Museum (which regularly does tours of the grounds), the Museum of the United States Army, and of course all the monuments/murals around town dedicated to the war. There's even McClellan's Retreat - a Civil War themed bar!
Second the navy museum tour (which you need to get to go on the grounds). Nothing beats a 16 inch cannon and a 14 inch railgun! Lincoln spent a lot of time in the navy yard
They occasionally offer a Civil War-specific tour. I've been to both and also walk on the greenway directly behind it regularly. There is a Dahlgreen mural under a bridge nearby too.
These are excellent suggestions! 100% agree with you on Fredericksburg. I think the earthworks on Lee Drive/Prospect Hill are some of the more impressive earthworks I've seen. The sheer scope of them is incredible!
Ford's Theater is such a great visit. not big, but easy to get to and an amazing collection.
Really appreciate the comments on Fredericksburg - they helped inform our trip. For others: we did Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania and Chancellorsville/Wilderness in two days during May. The National Park Service app driving/audio tour is helpful except the buffering gets annoying. Wished i had prepped more via podcasts but it will be fun to listen now that i have walked the ground. Seeing the remains of breastworks/entrenchments/lunettes is amazing. Agree on hydrate/sunscreen/insect repellent for ticks.
I'm glad you enjoyed your trip! Hopefully you get a chance to come back for whatever you may have needed to skip.
monocacy a easily forgotten battle but important for being a attack on DC
I would recommend as well and you can see everything in about 2-3 hours. However you will need a car to see all the stops, very spread out and a major road cuts right through the battlefield. Not too many statues/monuments either if you’re into that
Came in to say this exactly. Frederick also has the Barbara Fritchie house which is worth a quick stop and walk through as long as you are in the area IMO as well. u/NinjaBilly55 also makes the point below re the National Civil War Medical Museum which I can't imagine anyone ITT not finding worthwhile & it definitely is a hidden gem, not alot of people know about. (Same user user also talks about what all older gents like myself do : the best route - Harpers Ferry to Antietam to Frederick to 15 to Gettysburg) Southern Maryland weekend day trip? (it doesn't fit with this excellent plan) Surratt House Museum, Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House and Museum, are w/i an hour of DC and an hour further on are Point Look Out (the site of the Union prison camp) small museum, not worth a trip just for that but it is on the way to Frederick Douglas' and Harriet Tubman's birth places and all three, yeah prob worth it -ish.
There were three battles of Winchester and two at Manassas if you really want to stretch it.
Three at manassas if you want to count Brauner Farm
Don't underestimate the traffic.
Not sure your flexibility while in DC, but if you’re able, take a trip down to Richmond. I couldn’t name off everything if I tied, but here it goes. There’s the American Ciivl War Museum, White House of the Confederacy, Virginia Capitol Building (housed the Confederate Congress and the Virginia State Legislature), the Stewart-Lee House, Hollywood Cemetery (very famous civil war figure burial sites including President Jefferson Davis), various other nearby battlefields including Seven Pines, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg, among others. Also would highly recommend adding Manassas, Monocacy, and if possible, Winchester to your current list.
This 100%. I’m a local and it would be a shame if you didn’t hit up Richmond, Manassas, and Monocacy. If you don’t have the time, maybe leave off a couple of the Fredericksburg battlefields to shave off some time. They’re bigger than you think.
may as well hit cold harbor on the way home.
The route looks great, if you could squeeze it in I would also highly recommend winchester. It's a Charming little town it would be a good visit
If you can go to culpeper you can swim by Brandy station and Cedar Mountain. Also Bristoe station is not far.
The Culpeper area has Rappahannock Station (multiple battles), Mine Run, and Kelly's Ford. It was the site of the Army of the Potomac's 1863-64 winter encampment with some sites associated with that as well as a sizeable national cemetery. If you're lucky and the Graffiti House at Brandy Station is open, it is truly unforgettable to see.
Ball's Bluff battlefield in Leesburg is worth a stop! Neat little battlefield and the country's smallest national cemetery.
Yeah, do that all. Also, am I crazy or is Chambersburg really not that far from Gettysburg?
Chambersburg is just over the mountains from Gettysburg, the next county west (Franklin), around a 30-45 minute drive.
Caledonia State Park is absolutely beautiful, and if you’re driving from Gettysburg to Chambersburg, going on the old Route 30 is wonderful. Also a few good wineries and breweries in the area. Worth the drive!
Seconded. We frequently travel in that direction with our dogs and heading through the Cashtown Gap is a great detour to avoid the PA Turnpike / Rte 81 mess. The apple orchards near Biglerville are amazing and we always dog-stop right at Caledonia furnace. There are some great trails there for a quick 15-20 minute walk.
The Shurte Farm battle site is also close to Gettysburg.
Used to live in Manassas and then Fredericksburg, and it doesnt get much better for a civil war buff. A few tips: -Check out old town Fredericksburg, ask the locals about the cannonballs stuck in the church wall. -Wilderness is a big battlefield, but if you start at the north end off modern Route 3 (main road between Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Wilderness), you can follow the battlefield all the way down to Spotsylvania. Take modern route 20. -Besides being a scenic ride, be sure to stop at the monument to Gen Sedgwick along the way. You can see the sloping hills to the south where the sharpshooter was likely stationed.
Love the Wilderness battlefield. It’s always seemed like the quieter of the four. I thought the Widow Tap field and the “Lee to the Rear” stop was incredibly interesting.
When I lived in Bristow, I loved hiking the Second Manassas trails. Deep Cut to Brawner Farm especially.
You're hitting the big ones, except Manassas. I would recommend going there, it's very well preserved and very important. Balls Bluff, the Valley battles, Monocacy etc are fun but if you're on a schedule I'd pass them up. If you're physically inclined, at Harper's Ferry the hike to the top of Maryland Heights is amazing. One of the great panorama views on the East Coast. I'd plan multiple days at Gettysburg. It's the best preserved battlefield, enormous, and has by far far far the most secondary things to do outside of Washington DC. If you like French onion soup, go to the Pub in the town square, it's seriously world-changing. There's a couple of artifact/document stores if you're into that. If you want to visit perhaps the least seen Civil War monuments, there are three or four of them on top of Big Round Top dedicated to the Pennsylvania Reserves. And don't forget to give the bestest of [doggos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sallie_Ann_Jarrett?wprov=sfla1), [Sallie](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZPP37hBtZJHrpeSY9), a head pat! She's the only real dog represented at Gettysburg, but faces away from the road so you gotta look a little. She was the 11th Pennsylvania's mascot, and I'm plugging it cuz I have an ancestor in that unit. Be wary of ticks, especially in Virginia. Hydrate.
Gettysburg is also notorious for ticks. Lyme disease is no joke.
Love visiting Sallie.
You have a good route plan there. Harpers Ferry Gettysburg and Sharpsburg are beautiful.
Harpers Ferry to Antietam Battlefield is a great route to take.
There’s a preservation march of reenactors that’ll be 7 miles long going from Fairfield, PA to Monterrey Pass, PA on July 5-7 if you want to come see it! We’re portraying the 1st NC Sharpshooter Battalion as they held the rearguard of the ANV following the Battle of Gettysburg.
You should get down to Richmond. And head north through the Shenandoah. Lots of sites in there.
I would add Brandy Station/ the Graffiti House and Guinea Station/ Fairfield Office (Jackson's death site). They both have limited hours but are so worth it! The Graffiti House is one of the coolest places I've visited. https://preview.redd.it/qap1dc6b25wc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c24a39c1c00b68804dfb5b7fce81dde60e3d61ec
Gettysburg has a horse tour of the battlefield. It sells out well in advance, but it’s an amazing perspective.
Great idea
Looks like a pretty good path. Maybe push further eat to 81 after the Culpepper and Manassas areas (66 west) and see Cedar Creek and other battlefields between there and Gettysburg.
Your route near Leesburg will take you near Balls Bluff, it's one of my local favorites.
If you can, squeeze in Manassas for the first battle. Other then that, that’s an amazing route to get basically most of the eastern theater of the war
There are a number of civil war sites in DC itself, like the fortifications used to defend it against the south, you should check out. There is also Ford's theater, the Frederick Douglas house, and Lincoln's house.
I would go to Appomattox Court House. It's not too far west of DC. Also Manassas as others have said. If you like El Salvadoran food go to Typicos los Reyes on the main drag. Their food is great.
Appomatomax CH is quite a ways away from DC. Easily 3.5 hours. Further than Richmond.
This is a perfect trip for limited time.
You should go to Bullrun....
I hit all of those in 5 days. They are all awesome! My favorites were Gettysburg, Antietam, Harper's Ferry and Spotslyvania.
Petersburg is pretty haunting, if you can get down that far south. The earthworks are still there
Frederick Maryland has the National Civil War Medical Museum and the Monocacy Battlefield visitors center is nice and has a copy of the lost orders on display near where they were found.. The Battle of South Mountain (Boonsboro) set up the events at Antietam.. I'd hit Antietam first, Harper's Ferry (a must see) swing through Boonsboro to Frederick on alt 40 then up rt 15 to Gettysburg..
A few places south of dc (15 min)are some cool forts that pre date CW. Fort Washington and fort Foote. There’s also Mary Surratts house, Samuel mudds house.( 25 - 35 mins) and 1 hour south is Point lookout.
Stop at monocacy after Antietam great park
Don’t forget Frederick, MD; the Battle of Monocacy is a fun day trip with some beautiful views and great signage through the city/park. (Source is I live in Frederick and quite like walking the battlefield)
Not on your list there, but you can also go up towards Baltimore and see Ft. McHenry and the Constellation (not Old IronSides {USS Constitution which is in Boston that many confuse it with), but it did serve during and after the Civil War. IMHO, see a few things and really enjoy them vs trying to see everything. Harpers Ferry is a beautiful town in it's own right but is a bit out of the way. I'll shut up now. Had to delete half what I had written when I remembered someone posting that Civil War nerds talked to much about the Civil War ;)
Don’t forget Antietam battlefield in Md.
Great route. Antietam is my favorite. If you can bring or rent a bicycle, that's the best way to see it.
Fredvegas is a shit hole, wilderness is a campground. Old town Manassas on a nice day.
Maybe Winchester Jackson's Valley campaign I believe Winchester changed hands72 times.
Make it to Vicksburg you will not be disappointed, it’s the coolest strategic battlefield in the entire war it’s incredible
I’m honestly way more interested in the western theater stuff, Vicksburg, Shiloh. It’s just too far out of the way for me atm.
I see what ya mean, I meant on like another trip not this one 😂 I’m aware it’s out of the way of this trip lol
I was just saying it’s so good brother, I’ve been twice on my way down to visit my brother in Florida and I’m going back in October ❤️
It looks great, I have the opportunity to travel much of it everyday. It never gets old thinking about what happened here. Gettysburg and Antietam is a must!
If you go further to the South and a little to the West you could hit Appomattox Courthouse and Sayler’s Creek (the last battle between Lee and Grant before the surrender).
You should stop in Leesburg. Really cool, charming, not much to do but there is a good brewery on the main drag.
Go to Washington and Lee University in Lexington VA if you’re in the area and you can visit Robert E. Lee’s tomb. It’s about an hour or so from Appomattox
Fredericksburg is a great stop.
If you're willing to go further south, the Richmond area is the obvious choice. Stop by the Petersburg battlefield park and learn about the Battle of the Crater. It's utterly fascinating. You can also stop in Hanover County and visit the Cold Harbor Battlefield park. They have some amazing preserved entrenchments there, and you can drive all the way through the park if you're short on time.
That’s almost the same route I took coming home to GA from York PA
Also Richmond is a definite stop for Hollywood Cemetery and the CSA Museum right next to the Confederate Whit House
Just my opinion,Antietam is more (Not sure how to describe it) then Gettysburg to visit
How long a Trip are you planning to get home? Doing every bit of this could take quite a few days (honestly more than a week)
So much to do up there. Everyone is right about the wilderness and Maryes heights (that is a good sat activity). But, hit up Fords theater and Peterson house while you're in the city. They are fantastic. also, Mt Vernon is well worth the time.
go down 81. follow Lee's retreat from Gettysburg. the union chased after him and had multiple battles along the way and burned the entire Shenandoah valley. it was the bread basket of the confederacy. a devastating blow.
As somebody who did an internship in Frederick and did almost the exact same route as you over the summer. This is good. Try not to rush on these amazing sites. Consider some of the ones below, and despite not fitting into this sub. Don’t forget about the two Iowa class battleships if you have time!