Today at Brandy Station: July 23, 2010
Today, the Civil War Preservation Trust announced an effort to raise $67,000 to secure 782 acres of land on the Brandy Station Battlefield. The money will be used to pay costs of creating conservation easements on two separate properties.
What this will do is allow the owners tax credits. In return the land, no matter who owns it, cannot be improved (houses, etc.). In other words, it remains pristine. As is.
If you could place a trooper, be he blue or gray down on this acreage, he would be challenged to know what year it was. (OK, he may see cars and airplanes - but you get my point)
Please visit the CWPT website: www.civilwar.org/brandystation10
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Beautiful Downtown Fairfax Courthouse
Today at Brandy Station: July 15, 1862No this image wasn't taken on July 15, but I wanted you to have a look at what the Federals might have seen as they came into Fairfax Courthouse in the summer of 1862.
Yes Fairfax. The first town in Culpeper County was originally called this. Many Civil War maps show the name Fairfax Courthouse rather than Culpeper. According to Eugene Scheel's book, Culpeper, A Virginia County's History Through 1920, the Virginia General Assembly established the town of 'Fairfax' rather than the traditionally accepted name of Culpeper Court House on February 22, 1759. However, the name was rarely used except in official documents.
The photo is from 1862, probably early August, by Timothy O'Sullivan. The Courthouse is plainly visible, when it was on the the corner of Davis and Coleman (now Main) Street. In the background is the Baptist Church. The wartime courthouse would be removed and the Courthouse was moved to its current site on Davis and West Street in July 1873.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
You Burnt What?
Today at Rapidan Station: July 13, 1862
There is a interesting exchange of correspondence found in the Official Records, tells of an incident concerning the Orange and Alexandria Railroad Bridge across the Rapidan.
In a message from Major General Nathaniel Banks to Colonel George Ruggles, Banks reports that ..."Major [James M.] Deems [First] Maryland Cavalry has returned this morning [July 14] from the front. He [Deems] reports that the party sent to burn small railroad bridges by mistake of orders destroyed the Rapidan Bridge."
Commander of the Army of Virgina, John Pope responded: "I regret very much indeed that any orders were given to burn any railroad bridges, great or small. The object of your movement was to preserve the road [referring to the O&A], not to destroy an portion of it. We are advancing and shall continue to advance, and the roads must be preserved for our use....By injuring them yo are obstructing our own movements, not those of the enemy. Be particular therefore to impress positively upon all your officers that they are to repair the roads in advance, not to destroy them. If you have a corps of workmen set them to work immediately to rebuild the small bridges that you have destroyed as rapidly as possible."
By reading Pope's message, you get a very distinct impression that he does not what any bridges burned or the railroad harmed in any way.
Hmm, (with tongue in cheek) I wonder if this is the reason Pope never advanced beyond Culpeper toward Richmond.
There is a interesting exchange of correspondence found in the Official Records, tells of an incident concerning the Orange and Alexandria Railroad Bridge across the Rapidan.
In a message from Major General Nathaniel Banks to Colonel George Ruggles, Banks reports that ..."Major [James M.] Deems [First] Maryland Cavalry has returned this morning [July 14] from the front. He [Deems] reports that the party sent to burn small railroad bridges by mistake of orders destroyed the Rapidan Bridge."
Commander of the Army of Virgina, John Pope responded: "I regret very much indeed that any orders were given to burn any railroad bridges, great or small. The object of your movement was to preserve the road [referring to the O&A], not to destroy an portion of it. We are advancing and shall continue to advance, and the roads must be preserved for our use....By injuring them yo are obstructing our own movements, not those of the enemy. Be particular therefore to impress positively upon all your officers that they are to repair the roads in advance, not to destroy them. If you have a corps of workmen set them to work immediately to rebuild the small bridges that you have destroyed as rapidly as possible."
By reading Pope's message, you get a very distinct impression that he does not what any bridges burned or the railroad harmed in any way.
Hmm, (with tongue in cheek) I wonder if this is the reason Pope never advanced beyond Culpeper toward Richmond.
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.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Been gone, coming back
Today at Brandy Station: July 11, 2010
Yes it has been a while, and for that, I apologize. Unfortunately I have to work for a living and that has greatly impacted my spare time when I am home. This unfortunate condition will abate in a week or two.
Yesterday, I along with Brandy Station Foundation President Bud Hall spent the day with members of the National Press Club. They toured the sites on the battlefield, hiking to Buford's Knoll, walking a portions of the fields of St. James and standing on the crest of Fleetwood Heights, as Bud spoke of the stirring events that took place there. After lunch, the NPC spent about 45 minutes at the Graffiti House. Finally, as time was short, they were driven to various sites in the Stevensburg area, a section of the battlefield that is not given it's proper due.
As the day ended, the President of the NPC congratulated the Brandy Station Foundation "on the fine job BSF is doing in "protecting the interests of America's greatest cavalry battlefield."
Today, I was at the Graffiti House again, this time as a Docent, speaking with those who came to see what the house has to offer. It is always an extreme pleasure to tell the story of the house and the people who past through to our guests.
Yes it has been a while, and for that, I apologize. Unfortunately I have to work for a living and that has greatly impacted my spare time when I am home. This unfortunate condition will abate in a week or two.
Yesterday, I along with Brandy Station Foundation President Bud Hall spent the day with members of the National Press Club. They toured the sites on the battlefield, hiking to Buford's Knoll, walking a portions of the fields of St. James and standing on the crest of Fleetwood Heights, as Bud spoke of the stirring events that took place there. After lunch, the NPC spent about 45 minutes at the Graffiti House. Finally, as time was short, they were driven to various sites in the Stevensburg area, a section of the battlefield that is not given it's proper due.
As the day ended, the President of the NPC congratulated the Brandy Station Foundation "on the fine job BSF is doing in "protecting the interests of America's greatest cavalry battlefield."
Today, I was at the Graffiti House again, this time as a Docent, speaking with those who came to see what the house has to offer. It is always an extreme pleasure to tell the story of the house and the people who past through to our guests.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Battle of Jacks Shop Lecture and Tour
Today in Madison County: upcoming event alert: July 14, 2010
Yes the battle took place on September 22, but a lecture and tour of the fight will take place on July 14 (Bastille Day). The event is sponsored by The Madison Historical Society and the Madison Conservation Friends.
Tour of the Battle of Jack's Shop
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 9:30am Bethel United Methodist Church in Rochelle
The battle of Jack's Shop took place on 22 September in 1863. The contest was not only the biggest battle of the Civil War to occur on Madison County soil but also one of the largest cavalry engagements of the war. Fought from dawn to dark, the running battle involved thousands of troopers from two divisions of the federal army under Generals Buford, Kilpatrick, and Devin who had ambushed General Lee's cavalry division under General J E B Stuart.
On July 14, 2010, the Historical Society is cosponsoring, along with a group of interested citizens, an historical presentation on the Battle of Jack's Shop. A brief lecture given by Harold Woodward Jr., the author of several books on the history of Madison County and a Civil War Historian, will be followed by a tour of several of the sites on which the very bloody horse artillery and cavalry battle took place. The lecture will take place at 9.30 am in the pavilion of the Bethel United Methodist Church in Rochelle. The tour will follow immediately afterward.
Come to the lecture and tour to find out why the battle took place and who won. Coffee and donuts will be available to supply the energy necessary to withstand the excitement of the morning. For more information: http://www.pecva.org/anx/ass/library/355/jacksshopflyer.pdf
or call Doug at 540.948.3306
Yes the battle took place on September 22, but a lecture and tour of the fight will take place on July 14 (Bastille Day). The event is sponsored by The Madison Historical Society and the Madison Conservation Friends.
Tour of the Battle of Jack's Shop
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 9:30am Bethel United Methodist Church in Rochelle
The battle of Jack's Shop took place on 22 September in 1863. The contest was not only the biggest battle of the Civil War to occur on Madison County soil but also one of the largest cavalry engagements of the war. Fought from dawn to dark, the running battle involved thousands of troopers from two divisions of the federal army under Generals Buford, Kilpatrick, and Devin who had ambushed General Lee's cavalry division under General J E B Stuart.
On July 14, 2010, the Historical Society is cosponsoring, along with a group of interested citizens, an historical presentation on the Battle of Jack's Shop. A brief lecture given by Harold Woodward Jr., the author of several books on the history of Madison County and a Civil War Historian, will be followed by a tour of several of the sites on which the very bloody horse artillery and cavalry battle took place. The lecture will take place at 9.30 am in the pavilion of the Bethel United Methodist Church in Rochelle. The tour will follow immediately afterward.
Come to the lecture and tour to find out why the battle took place and who won. Coffee and donuts will be available to supply the energy necessary to withstand the excitement of the morning. For more information: http://www.pecva.org/anx/ass/library/355/jacksshopflyer.pdf
or call Doug at 540.948.3306
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Not Everybody Left Town
Today at Brandy Station: June 30, 1863
Not everyone went to Gettysburg. At least two from Huger's Battery remained in Brandy Station.
From R. Thomas Crew's and Benjamin H. Trask's book "Grimes' Battery, Grandy's Battery and Huger's Battery Virginia Artillery:
"Private James Addison (detailed as a blacksmith) and Private Richard Montgomery (detailed as artificer, blacksmith & farrier) at Brandy Station [30 June] through 31 August 1863. Each was paid .40 cents a day extra duty."
Though it isn't documented, I suspect they remained after the Army of Northern Virginia went north.
Huger's Battery holds a special place in my heart. To date at least six of this battery; Edward Moreland, Robert Lewis, Joseph Moore, George W. Butt, John W. Ashe and Robert Peed (5 times) signed the walls of the Graffiti House in Brandy Station.
Not everyone went to Gettysburg. At least two from Huger's Battery remained in Brandy Station.
From R. Thomas Crew's and Benjamin H. Trask's book "Grimes' Battery, Grandy's Battery and Huger's Battery Virginia Artillery:
"Private James Addison (detailed as a blacksmith) and Private Richard Montgomery (detailed as artificer, blacksmith & farrier) at Brandy Station [30 June] through 31 August 1863. Each was paid .40 cents a day extra duty."
Though it isn't documented, I suspect they remained after the Army of Northern Virginia went north.
Huger's Battery holds a special place in my heart. To date at least six of this battery; Edward Moreland, Robert Lewis, Joseph Moore, George W. Butt, John W. Ashe and Robert Peed (5 times) signed the walls of the Graffiti House in Brandy Station.
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