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By Root 637 0

of Shiloh, Dixon was shot in the leg. However, the bullet hit his gold piece, denting the coin but saving his leg. When they found the Hunley, the submarine was chock full of sand, preserving everything, including the bodies. There, slipped down beneath Dixon’s boot, was Queenie’s gold coin, still dented, but with the inscription ‘Shiloh, April 12, 1862, GED, My life preserver.’”

Jack Thomson, Civil War historian

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In the morning, head up Hwy 26 to North Charleston to visit HL Hunley. It’s not often there’s a “new” Civil War discovery, especially when it’s a submarine. Yes, you heard that right. In 1861, two Confederate steam gauge manufacturers teamed up with Horace L Hunley, a Louisiana businessman, to create an underwater secret weapon. The hand-cranked craft was the only underwater vessel to sink an enemy ship up until World War I. The museum is a working archaeological site, and visitors get to peer into the 90,000-gallon tank at the Hunley, where eight very tightly cramped men sunk USS Housitonic in six minutes.

Alex Leviton

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TRIP INFORMATION

GETTING THERE

From Raleigh, take I-40 to I-95 towards Benson/Fayetteville. After 194 miles on I-95, take exit 86A to I-26 east. Take exit 221B to reach the Visitors Center and the downtown area.

DO

Aiken-Rhett House

An intact example of an antebellum Charleston home. 843-723-1159; www.historiccharles ton.org; 48 Elizabeth St, Charleston; adult/child $10/6; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, 2-5pm Sun

Citadel

The South Carolina military college, founded in 1842. 843-953-6846; www.citadel.edu; 171 Moultrie St, Charleston; admission free; parades 3:45pm or 4:20pm most Fri during semester, museum 2-5pm Sun-Fri, noon-5pm Sat;

Civil War Walking Tour

Time-travel back to Charleston in the 1860s with a military buff and Civil War reenactor. 843-270-2417; www.civilwarwalk.com; Mills House Hotel, cnr Meeting & Queen St, Charleston; adult/child $20/free; 9am Mar-Dec, private tours also avail;

Edmondston-Alston House

A Greek Revival house from 1825, complete with period furnishings and an intact library. 843-722-7171; www.middletonplace.org; 21 E Battery St, Charleston; adult/child $10/8; 10am-4:30pm Tue-Sat, 1:30-4:30pm Sun & Mon;

Fort Moultrie

Site of one of the first battles in the American Revolution, the fort was a seacoast defense outpost until WWII. 843-883-3123; www.nps.gov/fomo/home.htm; 1214 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island; adult/child/family $3/free/5; 9am-5pm;

Fort Sumter Tours

Tours to Fort Sumter depart from Liberty Sq in downtown Charleston, as well as the aircraft carrier in Mt Pleasant. 843-883-3123; www.spiritlinecruises.comand; 340 Concord St, Charleston; adult/child $14/8.50; 10am-5pm, seasonal variations;

Heyward-Washington House

More than 200 years of history, including a stay by George Washington. 843-722-2996; www.charlestonmuseum.org; 87 Church St, Charleston; adult/child $10/5; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, 1-5pm Sun;

HL Hunley

A working underwater archaeological site of a Civil War submarine with a museum and gift shop. 877-448-6539; www.hunley.org; 1250 Supply St, N Charleston; admission $12; 10am-5pm Sat, noon-5pm Sun;

Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon

Notwithstanding kid-friendly animatronic characters, adults can appreciate one of the most important Colonial buildings still standing. 843-727-2165; www.oldexchange.com; 122 E Bay St, Charleston; adult/child $7/3.50; 9am-5pm;

Palmetto Carriage Works

Get a bird’s-eye view of Charleston on a one-hour tour through the historic business or residential areas. 843-723-8145; www.carriagetour.com; 40 N Market St, Charleston; adult/child $20/10;

EAT

Fast & French

More French than fast, the long communal table that began as an experiment is now a local favorite. 843-577-9797; www.fastandfrench.org; 98 Broad St, Charleston; snacks & light meals $4-15; 8am-4pm Mon, to 10pm Tue-Thu, to 10:30pm Fri & Sat

Fleet Landing Restaurant

Decent food but a spectacular view at this maritime-themed waterfront eatery in a former naval building. 843-722-8100; www.fleetlanding.net;