As published in the Culpeper Star-Exponent, May 12, 2012
By: JEFF SAY
Culpeper Star-Exponent
Published: May 12, 2012
The Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield were honored Monday with a presentation of Virginia House Resolution No. 492 by Del. Ed Scott, for their work to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the battle.
The battle, which took place Aug. 9 1862, is being commemorated this year with a stage production of Virginia Morton’s novel “Marching Through Culpeper.”
Scott and delegates Jill Vogel and Emmett Hanger, along with Sen. Bryce Reeves were co-patrons of the resolution, which honors the organization for their unique plan to honor the soldiers of the Civil War.
“We have worked for several years as a board to protect the battlefield and educate not only Culpeper residents but reaching out across the United States about the significance of Cedar Mountain Battlefield,” Friends of Cedar Mountain president Diane Logan said. “To have this recognition is a thank you to all the many volunteers who have assisted in that effort.”
Scott said it was important to recognize the volunteers for their hard work during the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War.
“This effort here in Culpeper ties in with the other efforts going on in the Commonwealth,” Scott said. “It really stands out. The folks here in the community really should be commended for this unique commemoration of the Civil War.”
Marching Through Culpeper” will be performed on the stage Aug. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 2012 at Eastern View High School. Aug. 3-4 and 10-11 will be at 7:30 p.m. and the Aug. 5 and 12 will be at 2:30 p.m.
The play will be directed by the husband and wife team of Tim and Johncie Carlson and the four main characters have been cast for the play. Morton said they are still looking for more men to portray soldiers.
“It’s wonderful to know that the rest of the state is looking at what we’re doing,” Virginia Morton said. “We tend to think what we’re doing is unique. We’re delighted they recognized it.”
Showing posts with label Cedar Mountain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cedar Mountain. Show all posts
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Visiting past triumphs
Today at Cedar Mountain: September 8, 1863
From the diary of Jed Hotchkiss.
"I started back at an early hour, going by Cedar Run to examine the route to the battle field and the location of Hudson’s Mill, where General Trimble was stopped by a mill pond. Found no obstacle there that he could have not overcome...General Early had a party at the Cedar Run battlefield fixing up the graves of our fallen. The hogs had been rooting there."
Hotchkiss was recreating the advance of the Confederates on that August, 1862 day. He comments that he cannot find the obstacle the Issac Trimble faced (the mill pond). Perhaps Trimble wrote his report on August 14, before he was seriously wounded at Groveton, and I could find no mention of a mill pond, so I am unsure of what Hotchkiss is referring to.
He mentions that Jubal Early had a detail of men fixing the graves of the Confederate fallen from the fight. It is interesting that in the year since the fight, in an area under control by the Southern army, the Confederates did not attempt to disinter the dead and ship them home for burial.
From the diary of Jed Hotchkiss.
"I started back at an early hour, going by Cedar Run to examine the route to the battle field and the location of Hudson’s Mill, where General Trimble was stopped by a mill pond. Found no obstacle there that he could have not overcome...General Early had a party at the Cedar Run battlefield fixing up the graves of our fallen. The hogs had been rooting there."
Hotchkiss was recreating the advance of the Confederates on that August, 1862 day. He comments that he cannot find the obstacle the Issac Trimble faced (the mill pond). Perhaps Trimble wrote his report on August 14, before he was seriously wounded at Groveton, and I could find no mention of a mill pond, so I am unsure of what Hotchkiss is referring to.
He mentions that Jubal Early had a detail of men fixing the graves of the Confederate fallen from the fight. It is interesting that in the year since the fight, in an area under control by the Southern army, the Confederates did not attempt to disinter the dead and ship them home for burial.
Monday, August 9, 2010
"Providence has kindly blessed our arms"
Today at Cedar Mountain: August 9, 1862
A portion of a letter from Jed. Hotchkiss to his wife. It can be found on UVA's Valley of the Shadow web site.
My Dr. Wife:
"... Then we were up by day the next morning, poking along through towards Culpeper C.H. driving the Yankee picket before us, and camping along the road for several miles last night -- in fact reaching some 6 miles, the Division of Gen. A.P. Hill being in the rear. The enemy attempted to fall upon our rear last night, with a strong cavalry force, but they "caught a Tartar," finding us ready for them, & were repulsed, we taking some 15 prisoners, at one point, and they attacked at another point & met the same fate -- we have taken some 350 of Pope's Cavalry, now, some officers that we shall hold as hostages for the treatment of our people by Pope -- ...I resume my writing on a hill top, in full view of several thousand of the enemy cavalry that have been drawn up all day in the hot sun, -- while we are maneuvering to take them, have been sitting round here all the evening -- trying to find out the enemy's position 4 P.M. the battle has opened -- ... -- it is about 6 miles west of Culpeper C.H. -- Sunday 6 A.M. -- the firing has opened again We had a bloody day yesterday -- as desperate a fight as I ever saw -- but we drove the enemy away from the battle field, took 12 leads of ammunition, 1 large piece of artillery, some 400 prisoners, one Brig. Gen. & a good many officers. The fight continued until 9 P.M. Our Gen. Winder was killed & we had a good many others killed & wounded -- We lost a good many men & killed & wounded large numbers of the enemy most of which they left on the battle field.... Providence has kindly blessed our arms & spared most of us -- May He still be near us.
I will write this evening May God bless you all
Your Aff husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
Hotchkiss is of course referring to the Battle of Cedar (or Slaughter's) Mountain. Jackson's victory here in southern Culpeper County is considered the beginning of the Second Manassas Campaign.
General Winder is Charles Sidney Winder, a native Marylander. He died while in command of the Stonewall Brigade. Winder was working the guns of an artillery battery, and not with his command, when a federal shell ripped through the left side of his body. He lingered for a time, conscious of his fate and was lucid, talking of his family. Winder died so quietly that according to Lt. McHenry Howard, "you could scarcely note the time of death."
A portion of a letter from Jed. Hotchkiss to his wife. It can be found on UVA's Valley of the Shadow web site.
My Dr. Wife:
"... Then we were up by day the next morning, poking along through towards Culpeper C.H. driving the Yankee picket before us, and camping along the road for several miles last night -- in fact reaching some 6 miles, the Division of Gen. A.P. Hill being in the rear. The enemy attempted to fall upon our rear last night, with a strong cavalry force, but they "caught a Tartar," finding us ready for them, & were repulsed, we taking some 15 prisoners, at one point, and they attacked at another point & met the same fate -- we have taken some 350 of Pope's Cavalry, now, some officers that we shall hold as hostages for the treatment of our people by Pope -- ...I resume my writing on a hill top, in full view of several thousand of the enemy cavalry that have been drawn up all day in the hot sun, -- while we are maneuvering to take them, have been sitting round here all the evening -- trying to find out the enemy's position 4 P.M. the battle has opened -- ... -- it is about 6 miles west of Culpeper C.H. -- Sunday 6 A.M. -- the firing has opened again We had a bloody day yesterday -- as desperate a fight as I ever saw -- but we drove the enemy away from the battle field, took 12 leads of ammunition, 1 large piece of artillery, some 400 prisoners, one Brig. Gen. & a good many officers. The fight continued until 9 P.M. Our Gen. Winder was killed & we had a good many others killed & wounded -- We lost a good many men & killed & wounded large numbers of the enemy most of which they left on the battle field.... Providence has kindly blessed our arms & spared most of us -- May He still be near us.
I will write this evening May God bless you all
Your Aff husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
Hotchkiss is of course referring to the Battle of Cedar (or Slaughter's) Mountain. Jackson's victory here in southern Culpeper County is considered the beginning of the Second Manassas Campaign.
General Winder is Charles Sidney Winder, a native Marylander. He died while in command of the Stonewall Brigade. Winder was working the guns of an artillery battery, and not with his command, when a federal shell ripped through the left side of his body. He lingered for a time, conscious of his fate and was lucid, talking of his family. Winder died so quietly that according to Lt. McHenry Howard, "you could scarcely note the time of death."
Monday, July 12, 2010
Occupy in Force
Today at Brandy Station: July 12, 1862
From the Official Records
To Major General N[athaniel] P. Banks
The major-general commanding desires me to state that the position he desired and designated for your right flank was a point about 8 miles east of Sperryville. He still desires you to take that position, if not already occupied. It would be even better to have your right resting not five miles from Sperryville....
General Pope does not desire a simple cavalry reconnaissance toward Culpeper. He wants that to be occupied in force, and directs that General Hatch take up his headquarters there, throwing out strong cavalry pickets at least 20 miles in the direction of Gordonsville and Richmond...
George D. Ruggles
Colonel and Chief of Staff
General Banks responded:
...Orders were issued today to send back all surplus stores and for ten days' rations. Will will march the 14th instant toward Sperryville. General [John] Hatch understands he is to occupy Culpeper as his headquarters. He has the entire cavalry force, a full battery, and the infantry he desired, and will scout the country in advance as far as he is able.
And so begins the march toward the Battle of Cedar Mountain.
From the Official Records
To Major General N[athaniel] P. Banks
The major-general commanding desires me to state that the position he desired and designated for your right flank was a point about 8 miles east of Sperryville. He still desires you to take that position, if not already occupied. It would be even better to have your right resting not five miles from Sperryville....
General Pope does not desire a simple cavalry reconnaissance toward Culpeper. He wants that to be occupied in force, and directs that General Hatch take up his headquarters there, throwing out strong cavalry pickets at least 20 miles in the direction of Gordonsville and Richmond...
George D. Ruggles
Colonel and Chief of Staff
General Banks responded:
...Orders were issued today to send back all surplus stores and for ten days' rations. Will will march the 14th instant toward Sperryville. General [John] Hatch understands he is to occupy Culpeper as his headquarters. He has the entire cavalry force, a full battery, and the infantry he desired, and will scout the country in advance as far as he is able.
And so begins the march toward the Battle of Cedar Mountain.
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