This morning (May 22), on the 150th anniversary of a major Union attack in the Siege of Vicksburg, ranger Kim Hyatt of Bryce Canyon National Park will lead the “Forlorn Hope” sesquicentennial program, walking in his ancestor’s footsteps.

Hyatt has a special connection to Vicksburg National Military Park through his Civil War ancestor, George Theodore Hyatt, a member of the 127th Illinois Infantry Regiment. Wyatt, who lived until 1900, was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on that day at Vicksburg.

Click the link to learn more:

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On Monday, May 27, the National Park Service will join with the community in honoring the nation’s fallen soldiers at the annual commemorative ceremony at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.

The program will begin at noon and will last about 30 minutes.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Erik Nelson, a Navy veteran, Fredericksburg city planner, and historian. Erik is the past president of the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust and the author of an upcoming book on the Second Battle of Fredericksburg.

For the second year in a row, the program will begin with a procession from Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) through the streets to the National Cemetery,  recalling a long-ago tradition of Fredericksburg citizens—many of them former slaves—gathering at Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) and walking to the National Cemetery.

 The re-created 23d United States Colored Troops will lead the way. The procession will depart from Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site), 801 Sophia Street, at 11:15 a.m.

For additional information about Memorial Day activities, call the National Park Service at 540-373-6122.

–Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park

(Historic photo of headstones in the national cemetery courtesy of Jerry Brent.)

On Saturday, June 1, the Friends of Wilderness Battlefield and Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park will host a full day of activities–music, living history and special programs–at historic Ellwood on the Wilderness battlefield.

“Voices of Freedom—At the Crossroads of Virginia” will recall the quest for freedom, featuring music, living historians, and members of the re-created 23d United States Colored Troops.

The day will begin at 10 a.m. with an opening of the new Wilderness Crossing Trail and bridge, linking Ellwood with the Wilderness Tavern, across Wilderness Run.

Historian Beth Parnicza will lead the first-ever tour on the new trail, which also passes the historic intersection of the Orange Turnpike and Germanna Plank Road—the “Wilderness Crossroads.” The tour will begin at Ellwood and last about 90 minutes.

Special guests for June 1 include the re-enactors of the 23rd United States Colored Troops. The men will be in period uniform sharing stories about the role of the USCT in general and the 23rd specifically, regarding combat, medical duties and the importance of the company chaplain.

Many men of the 23rd were born in the area. The reenactors will present a 60-minute program at 1:30 and will be available at other times for interacting with visitors.

Looking in on Union Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren’s headquarters office at Ellwood Manor, home of Horace and Betty Jones Lacy, during 1864′s Battle of the Wilderness.

The Women of the American Civil War will also be present in period dress discussing the roles of African American women during this period of conflict and struggle. They will present a 60-minute program at noon depicting—in first-person forma—the stories of Elizabeth Keckley, Mary Elizabeth Bowser and Mary Shadd Cary. They, too, will be available at other times for interacting with visitors.

At 3 p.m., the acclaimed River Bank Choir will perform the 60-minute musical tribute to African American heritage entitled “Faith, Fortitude and the Quest for Freedom:” written and produced by Zann Nelson, President of FoWB.

The concert tells the remarkable story of people ripped from their homeland, forced into a life of slavery, and, when one might believe that all hope was lost, wielded faith and fortitude to achieve the long-sought status of Freedom. It is an inspirational and uplifting 60 minutes of music and storytelling.

The program includes the reading of the names of the 53 men—most of them born into slavery in surrounding counties–who would enlist in the United States Colored Troops.

Ellwood Manor will be open to visitors between the hours of 11 and 5 p.m.

Join us at the “Crossroads in Virginia” for an afternoon where “history” meets “present.” Together, they tell the remarkable story of America’s freedom seekers through living history, first-person drama, song and storytelling.

WANT TO GO?

Date: Saturday, June 1

Location: Ellwood Manor on the Wilderness Battlefield at the Wilderness Intersection of Routes 3 and 20: 36380 Constitution Highway, Locust Grove, VA, 22508

SCHEDULE:

10 a.m. – Dedication of Wilderness Crossing Trail

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. – House and grounds open

12-1 – Presentation by the Women of the American Civil War

1:30 – 2:30 – Presentation by the 23rd Regiment of the USCT

3:00 – 4:00 – Faith, Fortitude and the Quest for Freedom”

Notes: All programs will be held out of doors on the Ellwood grounds.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

In case of rain, the musical tribute will be postponed.

All programs are offered FREE to the public.

–Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park

People have worked mightily for 30-plus years to preserve Culpeper County’s Brandy Station battlefield, scene of the biggest cavalry fight in the Western hemisphere.

Against all odds, they’ve achieved great success. Now, this effort is focused on saving the field’s most telling spot, Fleetwood Hill, the high ground where battle raged most intensely.

To acquire that 56 acres from its private owner, the Civil War Trust announced Friday that it’s launching a $3.6 million national fundraising campaign–one of the five most ambitious private battlefield purchases in the nonprofit group’s history. (Learn more at www.civilwar.org/fleetwood2013)

J.E.B. Stuart IV, the great-grandson of the Confederacy’s most famous cavalry officer, calls Fleetwood Hill “the most important remaining unprotected land at Brandy Station,” the trust said Friday.

His namesake always linked the battle with the site, calling it “the Battle of Fleetwood Heights” in his reports and correspondence, Stuart said.

The Battle of Brandy Station, fought on June 9, 1863, demonstrated the newfound prowess of Union cavalry forces and is considered the opening shot in Robert E. Lee’s Gettysburg Campaign.

To preserve Fleetwood Hill, the trust and its allies are mounting a full-court press.

Joining it on the campaign are groups with long commitments to Culpeper and the region, including the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, based in Fredericksburg; the Brandy Station Foundation; and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground.  

With state and federal grants in the offing, trust officials said each dollar private contributed now will be multiplied more than 18-fold–specifically, an 18.63-to-1 match (note those four digits, history geeks)!

Richmond National Battlefield Park to Host Living History Weekend

The naval defenses of Richmond will come alive again May 18-19, 2013, as National Park Service volunteers portraying Confederate sailors, heavy artillerymen, and Marines will demonstrate artillery action at historic Drewry’s Bluff in Chesterfield County on the James River. All programs are free.

During the event, members of the James River Squadron will discuss the role of the Confederate Navy protecting Richmond along the James. They will display various types of torpedoes (mines) used in the James River and throughout the Confederacy. The Southside Heavy Artillery will perform demonstrations of the drill used to load an 8-inch Columbiad, a piece of heavy artillery located at the site.

Throughout the weekend, park rangers and volunteers will also give talks on the role of Fort Drewry in the defense of Richmond, especially the battle that occurred there on May 15, 1862, when a Federal fleet of five ships was stopped just seven miles below the Confederate capital.

Volunteers portraying members of the Confederate States Marine Corps will be on hand to describe the duties of Confederate Marines throughout the South and the role Camp Beall played at Drewry’s Bluff serving as the Confederate Marine Corps camp of instruction.

At the fort’s overlook of the James River, park rangers will describe the advance of the Union fleet and its repulse at Drewry’s Bluff by Confederate soldiers, sailors, and Marines in May of 1862.

During the Civil War, Drewry’s Bluff was known as a “Perfect Gibraltar” along the James River protecting the city of Richmond. Today, the site contains some of the best preserved earthen fortifications left standing around Richmond and offers a spectacular view of the James River.

What: Living history at the Drewry’s Bluff unit of Richmond National Battlefield

Who: National Park Service staff and volunteers, including the James River Squadron and the Southside Heavy Artillery

Where: Drewry’s Bluff, 7600 Fort Darling Road, Richmond

When: Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Fee: All programs are free.

Drewry’s Bluff is one of 13 Civil War sites protected by Richmond National Battlefield Park in Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield counties. The site is located south of Richmond, off of Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1) at Bellwood Road in Chesterfield County.

Experiencing the park’s 13 battlefield sites and five visitor centers usually takes a full day. A driving tour of the battlefields is available at any of the park’s sites, including Drewry’s Bluff.

The main park visitor center is located at Historic Tredegar (470 Tredegar Street in Richmond) and provides museum exhibits, audio-visual programs and orientation services to help plan a visit to the battlefields. For additional information, contact Richmond National Battlefield Park at 804-226-1981, or via the internet at www.nps.gov/rich or www.Facebook.com/RichmondNPS.

–Richmond National Battlefield Park

She raised George Washington and his five siblings alone, and is the namesake of the University of Mary Washington.

The event will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, on the grounds of the Mary Washington Monument.

That monument, on Washington Avenue, was built in 1894 and dedicated by President Grover Cleveland.

The monument has had a tumultuous history, though. In 1833 President Andrew Jackson dedicated the first monument to be erected in that space, but it was never completed and remained untouched, deteriorating for 60 years.

Support for the monument had begun in the early 1800s and was continued by women’s groups in Fredericksburg until the final monument was completed.

Nancy Moore, vice chairwoman of the city’s memorials advisory committee, called the monument “the first in our country established by women to honor a woman.”

Laura Galke, archaeologist for the George Washington Foundation, will present a lecture on how artifacts found recently at Washington’s Ferry Farm have shed a new light on Mary Washington’s life.

Moore said she thinks people are interested in Washington because she is a somewhat controversial figure.

“Some think that she didn’t get along with George Washington and that she was grumpy and unrefined,” said Moore. “I think these new finds are changing that picture.”

During the event, visitors can tour the caretaker’s cottage, which was built in 1896 adjacent to the monument.

Free tours will also be offered at the Mary Washington House on the corner Charles and Lewis streets, where refreshments will be served after the program.

The event is free and open to the public.

The rain location for the event is the Free Lance–Star building at 616 Amelia St.

–Lindley Estes: 540/735-1976

lestes@freelancestar.com

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: “Celebrating the First Mother—Mary Ball Washington”

WHERE: Mary Washington Monument, Washington Avenue

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11

COST: Free

Background: America’s historic battlefields allow us to experience the epic battles that defined our nation.  From the Revolutionary War to the War of 1812 to the Civil War, preserving these American historic treasures helps to educate future generations about our rich cultural history and to commemorate the sacrifices made to secure our freedom.

Unfortunately, suburban sprawl and haphazardly-planned development are encroaching on many of these significant battlefields. Only about 20 percent of the land upon which the Civil War was fought is preserved — the rest is either unprotected or has been lost forever.

Of the 825 nationally significant battlefields and associated sites from the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, 107 have been lost, 245 are in fragmented or poor condition, and 222 are in danger of being destroyed within the next ten years.

·    The American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act would reauthorize the American Battlefield Protection Program, which provides matching grants for buying land – at fair market value from willing sellers – to preserve as hallowed ground.  This program is scheduled to expire at the end of September.

·     The existing program is the result of a commission created by Congress that recommended an “emergency” matching grants program be established to protect high priority Civil War battlefields.

·     In addition to Civil War sites, this bill would add Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites to program eligibility. 

·     The program was formally authorized in December 2002, when President Bush signed into law the “Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act.”  The program was reauthorized in March 2009, when President Obama signed into law the “Omnibus Public Lands Act.”

·    The program has received broad bipartisan support.  The U.S. House of Representatives passed it on April 9, 2013.  Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) has cosponsored this bill with Senator Kaine.

Battlefield Preservation Means Economic Development

In Virginia, Civil War visitors stay twice as long and spend double the money of the average tourist. Daily spending in Virginia for all travelers surveyed averaged $52, but Civil War travelers on average spent $80 per person per day.

In five states, including Virginia, 15.8 million visitors have gone to 15 National Park Service Civil War Battlefields and historic sites, spent $442 million in local communities, and supported 5,150 local jobs.

The Civil War Trust estimates that there are still 50,000 acres of unprotected battlefield land in Virginia that meet the criteria of this program. The Civil War Trust has preserved 122 Virginia battlefields out of 384 for the entire program – by far the most in one state.

–Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine

~ Senator Joins Civil War Trust & Central Virginia Battlefields Trust Representatives at Slaughter Pen ~ 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) visited Slaughter Pen battlefield today to announce his second bill, the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act.

The bipartisan bill introduced by Kaine and Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) during the sesquicentennial of the Civil War will preserve historical battlegrounds by reauthorizing the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program (CWBPP) that provides competitive federal grants to match private and non-profit donations.

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., speaks Friday at a press conference at Slaughter Pen Farm in Spotsylvania County. Kaine and Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., are sponsoring legislation to extend the life of the nation’s  Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program. (ELIJAH NOUVELAGE / THE FREE LANCE-STAR)

“I am pleased to introduce this bill with Senator Cochran,” said Kaine. “Historical battlegrounds serve as living reminders of our nation’s past. In Virginia, we have more Civil War battlefields than any other state, and I am committed to working with both parties and members of our delegation to ensure this hallowed ground is preserved for local citizens and tourists who visit these sites.”

“With this year marking the 150th anniversary of so many pivotal Civil War battles, it is an appropriate time to extend our efforts to preserve key battlefield sites,” said Cochran. “These sites remind us of the enormous sacrifices made by our forebears in the name of freedom, and should be protected in order to help teach future generations of Americans.”

Since the program was initiated in December 2002, more than 17,500 acres of high-priority Civil War battle sites have been preserved to boost tourism and conserve land while preserving the nation’s heritage. The Civil War Trust estimates there are still more than 50,000 acres of unprotected battlefield land in Virginia that meet the criteria of this program.

“The Civil War Trust and the historic preservation community are deeply grateful to Senator Kaine, not just for his long record of support for the protection of America’s hallowed ground, but for his vision in ensuring that future generations will have the opportunity to visit the places where our nation was forged to learn their valuable lessons and enjoy their scenic beauty,” said Civil War Trust President Jim Lighthizer.

In addition to protecting the educational landmarks for local citizens, the grants program serves as a low-cost measure to enable growth in local and state revenues. In five states, including Virginia, Civil War battlegrounds and museums have generated $442 million for local communities and supported 5,150 local jobs. Each year, local and state governments gain $32.7 million from tourism and activity around the historical sites, which helps to ease the cost burden of government services while increasing property value for homes near Civil War sites.

As governor, Kaine worked with members of both parties, including House Speaker Bill Howell, who attended today’s event, to preserve more than 400,000 acres of open space across Virginia, including Civil War battlefields. The Commonwealth created the Virginia Historic Battlefield Preservation Fund in 2006 that leveraged public-private partnerships for battlefield preservation. In 2008, Virginia committed $5.2 million to the program, the largest contribution by a state government in history. Governor Bob McDonnell continues to fund this program.

The American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act will protect the $10 million authorization that is set to expire in September 2013 and extend funding through 2018. In addition to Civil War sites, this bill would add Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites to program eligibility.  The companion bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on April 2013 and was introduced by U.S. Representative Rush Holt (NJ-12) and co-sponsored by Virginia U.S. Representatives Rob Wittman (VA-01) and Jim Moran (VA-08).

–Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine

WHEN: Friday, May 10, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. ET

WHERE: Civil War Trust’s Slaughter Pen Farm property, 11300 block of Tidewater Trail (Va. Route 2), Fredericksburg, VA. (blogger’s note: Fredericksburg is the postal address, but this portion of the Fredericksburg battlefield is in Spotsylvania County.)

–Office of Senator Tim Kaine

Welsch’s topic will be “Generals of the Continental Army.”

Gen. Nathanael Greene

He will speak at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Headquarters theater, 1201 Caroline Street in Fredericksburg.

The event is free. There will be light refreshments.

For more information, contact Jim Davis at JamesDavisW@aol.com or 540/899-3836.