Today at Brandy Station: may 31, 2010
I attended the Memorial Day service at the Culpeper National Cemetery this morning. I have been to the site many, many times, but this was my first Memorial Day.
There were easily over 300 in attendance. I am not counting the Culpeper H.S. Band, the members of the various honor guards or the Cemetery staff. Over 300 who were compelled to honor the fallen. As a retired member of the U.S. Air Force, I was humbled to be counted among them
The cemetery was established in 1866 and originally laid out in a square form, with avenues dividing it into four equal sections. In the center, at the intersection of the avenue is a raised mound supporting a flag-staff.
The white picket fence has been replaced by brick, and unfortunately, the site has been expanded over the years.
Three Union officers who died in the fighting on June 9, 1863 are buried beneath the flag: Lt. Col Virgil Broerick of the 1st New Jersey Cavalry, Major John Shellmire of the 1st New Jersey and 1st Lieutenant Isaac Ward of the 6th United States Cavalry.
But what is as equally important to me are the over 250 Union soldiers who died between November 1863 and May 1864 from accidents and disease during the winter encampment. Many of these men were in the army for weeks, their first time in a camp.
We remember all who lost there lives, some were known and famous, most were not. Remember them. Remember them all.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Rappahannock Station 2010
The last couple of days I have been walking and driving around the Rappahannock Station Battlefield (the November 7, 1863 fight) in preparation for a tour I intend to lead in late July.
It is amazing how much of the fields survived. All of the entrenchments and redoubts are gone, long gone. In the history of the 20th Maine Infantry, they note that the regiment camped on the site of the two forts and knocked them down so they could build their cabins.
But the fields where the Louisianans and North Carolinian's stood remains. You can see the curve of the hills and imagine those young men standing there as the Federals came forward in the twilight of November 7, 1863.
Much of the property is owned by Fauquier County, and is intended to be a park. Other portions of the land is owned by developer. Maybe that will change someday soon.
As I drove though the area, I was also able to identify the positions where Federal and Confederate artillery were placed, and where the Yankees sat in the early afternoon and readied themselves for what was to come.
Some has been saved, much more can be.
It is amazing how much of the fields survived. All of the entrenchments and redoubts are gone, long gone. In the history of the 20th Maine Infantry, they note that the regiment camped on the site of the two forts and knocked them down so they could build their cabins.
But the fields where the Louisianans and North Carolinian's stood remains. You can see the curve of the hills and imagine those young men standing there as the Federals came forward in the twilight of November 7, 1863.
Much of the property is owned by Fauquier County, and is intended to be a park. Other portions of the land is owned by developer. Maybe that will change someday soon.
As I drove though the area, I was also able to identify the positions where Federal and Confederate artillery were placed, and where the Yankees sat in the early afternoon and readied themselves for what was to come.
Some has been saved, much more can be.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Establishing a picket post
Today at Brandy Station: May 29, 1863
From the diary of Corporal Henry S. Seage, Co E. 4th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
"Regt. started this morn (from Hartwood Church) about 7 o’clock A.M. and went to Kelly’s Ford on the Rappahannock River. Pitched our Tents on a line and prepared for a general Camp. Awful tired & Sore. Phil and myself went after Boards & Sacking to the Old Camp."
Two days later (Sunday - May 31), Henry wrote that they didn't have Divine service due to three companies on picket, but he spent some time swimming and fishing with almost the entire company.
Confederate Cavalry was picketing on the south side of Kelly's Ford. I wonder how many jumped in along with the Michiganders...
The photo is a modern look at Hartwood Church, which I took last summer.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
To Active Service
Today at Brandy Station: May 25, 1861
It's a Saturday, and the Little Fork Rangers (soon to be Company D, 4th Virginia Cavalry) are drilling at Oak Shade, midway between Rixeyville and Jeffersonton. A courier, from the Court House arrives with orders, nearly killing his horse in the process. It is The orders.
Their Captain, Dr. Robert Utterback, calls them together. If there are men here who do not want to commit to service, now is the time to leave. Some will. The remainder, ride to the Baptist Church in Jeffersonton later this day.
Utterback reads the orders they all expected: Proceed to Camp Henry, Culpeper Court House on Monday, May 27, to be mustered into Confederate Service.
One wonders what passed through the minds of these young men - called to defend their new country. How many thought they would each kill 10 Yankees. It was heady times indeed.
There first assignment, however, would be on the mundane side. They are to guard the railroad bridge that spans the Rappahannock. The Little Fork Rangers would have their glory. But first things first.
Utterback would survive the war and become the Culpeper school superintendent in 1870.
It's a Saturday, and the Little Fork Rangers (soon to be Company D, 4th Virginia Cavalry) are drilling at Oak Shade, midway between Rixeyville and Jeffersonton. A courier, from the Court House arrives with orders, nearly killing his horse in the process. It is The orders.
Their Captain, Dr. Robert Utterback, calls them together. If there are men here who do not want to commit to service, now is the time to leave. Some will. The remainder, ride to the Baptist Church in Jeffersonton later this day.
Utterback reads the orders they all expected: Proceed to Camp Henry, Culpeper Court House on Monday, May 27, to be mustered into Confederate Service.
One wonders what passed through the minds of these young men - called to defend their new country. How many thought they would each kill 10 Yankees. It was heady times indeed.
There first assignment, however, would be on the mundane side. They are to guard the railroad bridge that spans the Rappahannock. The Little Fork Rangers would have their glory. But first things first.
Utterback would survive the war and become the Culpeper school superintendent in 1870.
Monday, May 24, 2010
An execution in Richmond
Today at Brandy Station: May 24, 1863
in the Richmond Daily Dispatch
--A negro woman named Clara Ann, slave of Mr. Blank, of Culpeper county, heretofore condemned to be hung for the murder of her mistress, who was removed to this city three weeks since for safe keeping, was executed yesterday in the interior yard of the Penitentiary, by order of the Governor. The culprit was put on the gallows at fifteen minutes past two o'clock, by Mr. Peter Phillips, Deputy Sheriff of Henrico county, and remained suspended until 3 o'clock. Rev. Mr. Sweeney offered an affecting prayer to the Throne of Grace prior thereto. But few spectators were present.
I can find no other references to this event, the story is out there somewhere, but it eludes me, for now.
in the Richmond Daily Dispatch
--A negro woman named Clara Ann, slave of Mr. Blank, of Culpeper county, heretofore condemned to be hung for the murder of her mistress, who was removed to this city three weeks since for safe keeping, was executed yesterday in the interior yard of the Penitentiary, by order of the Governor. The culprit was put on the gallows at fifteen minutes past two o'clock, by Mr. Peter Phillips, Deputy Sheriff of Henrico county, and remained suspended until 3 o'clock. Rev. Mr. Sweeney offered an affecting prayer to the Throne of Grace prior thereto. But few spectators were present.
I can find no other references to this event, the story is out there somewhere, but it eludes me, for now.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Jeb Stuart arrives
Today at Brandy Station: May 20, 1863
JEB Stuart established his headquarters to day in Culpeper. He was broadly tasked to gather his Cavalry forces and prepare them for the summer campaign. He set up his headquarters tent on the property of the Bradford family, named Afton.
From this day until the first week of June, Stuart's cavalry and horse artillery will come into the county. Afton still stands today, located on Route 666, on the Northeastern edge of Culpeper.
By June 8, Stuart would have close to 10,000 under arms with him.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Jacob Kent Langhorne
Today at Brandy Station: May 18, 1863
There is a terrific website titled "Valley of the Shadow" (http://valley.lib.virginia.edu/VoS/sitemap.html)
Among other documents, newspapers and photos, the site contains letters and diaries from soldiers from Augusta County, Virginia and Franklin County, Pennsylvania. If you haven't visited this site, I highly recommend it.
The letters of Jacob Kent Langhorne are part of the collection. Kent is an 18 year old trooper who recently joined the Wise Cavalry Troop of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry. He would take part in his first fight at Brandy Station on June 9. It would also be his last fight.
On May 18, he penned a letter to his sister from Culpeper Court House. It read in part:
Culpeper CH
May 18th, 1863 Dear Sister
I received Mamas letter two or three days ago and received yours and cousin Kate's yesterday. I have had quite a nice time since I have been in camp. I have made the acquaintance of a good many nice officers. Capt Steptoe is one of the nicest gentleman I ever saw and is so kind to me. I understand that Floods & Pickets divisions are camped near here & Jones, Imboden, Hampton, Jenkins and W.H. Lee are and in fact all our cavalry forces are here. We expect to leave here for some unknown point in a day or two…. Love to all. I am your Bro, Kent.
It is almost a typical letter. Kent had received letters from home and was getting along well. He didn't mention his health, and his camp gossip was wrong, as no infantry had arrived and the cavalry was just beginning to gather in the county. And the cavalry would of course remain in Brandy until mid-June.
There is a terrific website titled "Valley of the Shadow" (http://valley.lib.virginia.edu/VoS/sitemap.html)
Among other documents, newspapers and photos, the site contains letters and diaries from soldiers from Augusta County, Virginia and Franklin County, Pennsylvania. If you haven't visited this site, I highly recommend it.
The letters of Jacob Kent Langhorne are part of the collection. Kent is an 18 year old trooper who recently joined the Wise Cavalry Troop of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry. He would take part in his first fight at Brandy Station on June 9. It would also be his last fight.
On May 18, he penned a letter to his sister from Culpeper Court House. It read in part:
Culpeper CH
May 18th, 1863 Dear Sister
I received Mamas letter two or three days ago and received yours and cousin Kate's yesterday. I have had quite a nice time since I have been in camp. I have made the acquaintance of a good many nice officers. Capt Steptoe is one of the nicest gentleman I ever saw and is so kind to me. I understand that Floods & Pickets divisions are camped near here & Jones, Imboden, Hampton, Jenkins and W.H. Lee are and in fact all our cavalry forces are here. We expect to leave here for some unknown point in a day or two…. Love to all. I am your Bro, Kent.
It is almost a typical letter. Kent had received letters from home and was getting along well. He didn't mention his health, and his camp gossip was wrong, as no infantry had arrived and the cavalry was just beginning to gather in the county. And the cavalry would of course remain in Brandy until mid-June.
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