Piney Mountain Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

The initial engagement on July 21, 1861 of what would become the First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) took place on McLean's farm in Manassas, Virginia. Union Army artillery fired at McLean's house, which was being used as a headquarters for Confederate Brigadier General P. G. T. Beauregard, and a cannonball dropped through the kitchen fireplace. 

McLean was a retired major in the Virginia militia, but at 47, he was too old to return to active duty at the outbreak of the Civil War. In the spring of 1863, he and his family moved about 120 miles south to Appomattox County, Virginia, near a dusty, crossroads community called Appomattox Court House.

On April 9, 1865, the war revisited McLean. Confederate General Robert E. Lee was about to surrender to Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant. He sent a messenger to Appomattox Court House to find a place to meet. On April 8, 1865, the messenger knocked on McLean's door and requested the use of his home, to which McLean reluctantly agreed. Lee surrendered to Grant in the parlor of McLean's house, effectively ending the Civil War. Later, McLean is supposed to have said "The war began in my front yard and ended in my front parlor."
The initial engagement on July 21, 1861 of what would become the First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) took place on McLean's farm in Manassas, Virginia. Union Army artillery fired at McLean's house, which was being used as a headquarters for Confederate Brigadier General P. G. T. Beauregard, and a cannonball dropped through the kitchen fireplace. 

McLean was a retired major in the Virginia militia, but at 47, he was too old to return to active duty at the outbreak of the Civil War. In the spring of 1863, he and his family moved about 120 miles south to Appomattox County, Virginia, near a dusty, crossroads community called Appomattox Court House.

On April 9, 1865, the war revisited McLean. Confederate General Robert E. Lee was about to surrender to Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant. He sent a messenger to Appomattox Court House to find a place to meet. On April 8, 1865, the messenger knocked on McLean's door and requested the use of his home, to which McLean reluctantly agreed. Lee surrendered to Grant in the parlor of McLean's house, effectively ending the Civil War. Later, McLean is supposed to have said "The war began in my front yard and ended in my front parlor."
Super 8 by Wyndham Appomattox VA

Super 8 by Wyndham Appomattox VA

2 out of 5
7571 Richmond Highway Appomattox VA
The price is ฿2,076 per night from 4 Feb to 5 Feb
฿2,076
฿2,290 total
4 Feb - 5 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Appomattox. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions The American Civil War Museum - Appomattox and Carver ...
6.6/10 (615 reviews)
Staff was very friendly and easy to check in and very accommodating.

Reviewed on 15 Dec 2025

Super 8 by Wyndham Appomattox VA
Microtel Inn & Suites By Wyndham Lynchburg

Microtel Inn & Suites By Wyndham Lynchburg

2.5 out of 5
5704 Seminole Ave Lynchburg VA
The price is ฿2,602 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
฿2,602
฿2,940 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lynchburg. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,014 reviews)
Friendly staff. Clean & comfortable room

Reviewed on 23 Jan 2026

Microtel Inn & Suites By Wyndham Lynchburg
Courtyard by Marriott Lynchburg

Courtyard by Marriott Lynchburg

3 out of 5
4640 Murray Place Lynchburg VA
The price is ฿3,522 per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
฿3,522
฿3,968 total
8 Feb - 9 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lynchburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (604 reviews)
The front desk did a wonder job! Great people and very accommodating

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Lynchburg
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Placemakr Marymount Ballston

Placemakr Marymount Ballston

4 out of 5
1008 N Glebe Rd Arlington VA
Stay at this aparthotel in Arlington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (709 reviews)
My stay was great. The staff were super nice and accommodating, would definitely come again!

Reviewed on 22 Jan 2026

Placemakr Marymount Ballston
Ocean Sands Resort, Oceanfront, Virginia Beach by Vacatia

Ocean Sands Resort, Oceanfront, Virginia Beach by Vacatia

3 out of 5
2207 Atlantic Avenue Virginia Beach VA
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Virginia Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,184 reviews)
Awesome time

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

Ocean Sands Resort, Oceanfront, Virginia Beach by Vacatia
The Ocean Key Virginia Beach Resort

The Ocean Key Virginia Beach Resort

3 out of 5
424 Atlantic Avenue Virginia Beach VA
Stay at this aparthotel in Virginia Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,460 reviews)
Clean and nice room

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

The Ocean Key Virginia Beach Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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