in the footsteps of Cornwallis, Washington, McCellan, Lee, Grant and Sherman

Today I am in Norfolk, Virginia (Richmond is the capital, Norfolk was where Jefferson Davis was imprisoned after the Civil War).
The drive from Baltimore to Norfolk was along the various penisulas that so many soldiers have tramped in many a war. Not far from here is Yorktown scene of the British surrender to the continental army. Out around the corner from my hotel is the Hampton Roads and the location of the primary eastern seaboard naval yards. Also where the USS Merrimack was refitted as the CSS Virginia.
Toward the end of this peninsula is the stretch of water on which the USS Chesapeake and HMS Shannon slugged it out for the first major victory of the Royal Navy over the Continental Navy during the War of 1812.
We drove almost parallel to Sherman's march to the sea and crossed the Rappahannock not more than a few miles from the Wilderness and Manassas.
I confess its an odd feeling to be on such ground, a good deal of the drive was past farms and shabby looking houses. Almost as soon as you drive into Virginia from 'The North' there is a lack of wealth. though I'm told it won't be too long before the suburbs start their inevitable creep south.
Unlike Australia, we would not have driven more than half a mile without seeing a house or store of some description. In Australia you can drive for hours and hours.
As for Norfolk itself I reserve judgement until tomorrow, tonite I'm off in search of a beer and dinner. Tomorrow its off to the coast and my first look at the Atlantic...