RICHMOND, Va. — State grants totaling $1 million are being awarded to organizations working to preserve 530 acres of Civil War battlefields in Virginia, Gov. Bob McDonnell announced Friday.

The grants, drawn from a fund created by the General Assembly to preserve Civil War sites, will help preservation groups in nine counties preserve 10 places where North and South forces fought.

McDonnell said it makes financial sense to preserve Civil War sites, which attract tourists....