However, it is possible to fit things together. Visiting battlefields is probably the easiest way to absorb the Civil War history, almost by osmosis. Just getting out of the car and looking at the cannons while somebody else reads the plaque will eventually get you involved. Later you'll hear some reference to Fredericksburg and start spouting off about the proper pronunciation of Marye's Heights. You might even just do the battlefields without the history.
People go to parks and wilderness areas for the trees, grass, steams, and lakes.
You have the same thing at most Civil War battlegrounds. There's really no need to drive around to the designated stops and talk about the battle. Just hit the hiking trail and grill some burgers around dinnertime. Fortunately, it is impossible for the federals to waste every dollar taxed and spent, and one place with the least amount of waste used to be that portion of the National Park Service that ran the battlefields. Also note that NPS is organized by site and not by campaign.