Archive for the History Category
Crossing of the Chesapeake
We received this notice from Lt. William King, USN concerning an interesting event upcoming in
May. It sounds like a fascinating endeavor and should be of particular interest
to those of the maritime pursuasion. Good luck and Godspeed to all involved:
On May 15-16 2010 a crew of 10 will attempt to row and sail a 26-foot monomoy [...]
Stonewall Jackson’s Birthday
Thanks to Sue Prager for forwarding the following announcement to us:
A public buffet and a program by noted Civil War historian Dr. Bob Meadows will be held
on Friday, January 22 at WVU Jackson’s Mill to mark the birthday of Stonewall Jackson.
The buffet will run from 5-7pm at Mount Vernon Dining Hall, featuring a hearty [...]
Does Anyone Care About American History Anymore?
The following is a link sent to us by Karen Ramsburg concerning the Smith House in Mercersburg, PA. We ran an article about it earlier this year. It would appear that things have taken a turn for the worse. Once again, we seem to have short-sighted local officials who don’t seem to give a hoot [...]
A Reenactor’s Christmas List – Cyber Monday Deals
If you are looking for something to buy a reenactor or you’re wanting to offer suggestions to people who may be buying for you, we thought we’d point you to some deals we’ve seen online for Cyber Monday.
Forest Hills WWII Encampment
On Independence Day, July 4, 2009, the 28th Infantry Division, Company K put on a living history encampment at the Forest Hills park in the Pittsburgh area. This was mainly a one day event and was part of Forest Hills Community Day at the park. While our little encampment was tucked away back from the [...]
Upcoming Event – The Battle of Rich Mountain
The weekend of July 11-12 will once again see the biannual reenactment of the Battle of Rich Mountain near Beverly, WV. In June, 1861, Major General George B. McClellan took command of Union troops in Western Virginia and on the 27th of that month, set out for Randolph County to engage the Confederate forces there. [...]
Rowlesburg WWII Living History
Just a reminder that the 4th annual Rowlesburg, WV WWII Living History event will take place on this coming weekend, June 26 and 27. This is a fun event and extremely Reenactor-friendly. If you are not signed up as a participant, then make plans to come as a spectator. It’s a small, laid-back, but quality [...]
Memorial Day Parades – Coraopolis and Lawrenceville, PA
Several reenactors from the 28th Infantry Division, Co. K, participated in the Memorial Day parades in Coraopolis and Lawrenceville, PA. We met in Cora0polis and drove to Lawrenceville in Dan Evans’ 1942 Dodge weapons carrier. This was actually a very pleasant ride and we were well recieved by the crowds lining the street. The parade [...]
Julia Pierpont Day, Fairmont, WV
On Saturday, May 23, 2009, I and three other Union Reenactors went to the Marion County Historical Society in downtown Fairmont to serve as color guard for a recognition day for Julia Pierpont, wife of Francis H. Pierpont of Fairmont, who was appointed as Governor of the Restored State of Virginia after the secession of [...]
Grafton National Cemetary Lantern Tour
On Friday, May 22, 2009, I took part in the annual lantern tour organized by Mark Tennant. This tour focuses on the many Union soldiers buried in the Grafton National Cemetary located on the south side of downtown Grafton (not the new cemetary at Pruntytown a few miles away). For this year’s tour, we had [...]
WWII Living History – Brownsville Steam and Gas Assn.
This past weekend was National Road Festival weekend for the communities along Rt. 40 in Pennsylvania. I fell in with the local 28th Infantry Co. K for a living history encampment as part of the festival. We set up at the Brownsville Steam and Gas Association’s fairgrounds located 4 miles west of Brownsville, PA. There [...]
Quest for the Graves of Two Brave Boys in Blue
On Sunday, April 19, 2009 Jim Barnes and I visited the graves of two brave soldiers that fought for the Union during the Civil War, Jesse Taylor and John Shanes. When I took the Civil War bus trip last fall (see related story CW Bus Trip in past posts) I had heard the story [...]
Charleston Gazette/AP: Fairmont markers join Civil War tourism trail
This was in today’s Charleston Gazette:
Fairmont markers join Civil War tourism trail
Five markers in Fairmont commemorating the city’s Civil War roots have been added to a state tourism trail.
By The Associated Press
FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Five markers in Fairmont commemorating the city’s Civil War roots have been added to a state tourism trail.
Gov. Joe Manchin, Mayor Matt [...]
Sons of Union Veterans Recognize Eagle Scout
From Matt Gillespie:
Eagle Scout Recognized
Jonathan Slaughter Receives Certificate From Buckhannon Camp #49
Boy Scout Jonathan Slaughter, Troop 106 chartered to Sand Run Baptist Church, officially received his Eagle Scout Award at a ceremony held at BSA Camp Mahonegon in Upshur County, WV. Every scout who attains the rank of Eagle must lead a project which benefits the [...]
Division of Tourism Announces Civil War Trails Program
We just received the following announcement of interest to the Civil War community in West Virginia:
West Virginia Civil War Trails
The Division of Tourism is pleased to announce that it will be working with Civil War Trails Inc. to implement the Civil War Trails program in WV. Civil War Trails is an established, successful tourism marketing [...]
WVU Today: WVU Civil War historian lends expertise to battlefield preservation efforts
This was posted on the WVU News and Information Services website today. Thought it might be of interest. This is the same professor we posted an AP story about last week.
WVU Civil War historian lends expertise to battlefield preservation efforts
Carmichael to speak Tuesday on war’s military tactics at New York exhibition
A West Virginia University history [...]
A Letter Home, June 7, 1944
This is part one of an ongoing series by Lucy Albright. about her grandfather, Major Paul H Price. He was a WVU geology professor who went back into the military. He got caught up in the Ardennes offensive in late 1944. Lucy will be sharing his letters and photos in a series of posts. – [...]
Pearl Harbor
Take a minute from football to remember that 67 years ago today, Japan attacked the US fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Also remember the 2042 American service personnel who were killed and the 1282 who were wounded.
Why Do You (We) Do This?
Much thanks to Randy, Misha and Chuck for some great comments and thought-provoking observations. My own personal path to living history probably dates back to reading Bruce Catton’s marvelous trilogy about the Union Army of the Potomac back in the seventies. (Mr. Lincoln’s Army, Glory Road, and A Stillness at Appomattox)* I think it was [...]
Transylvania in Pennsylvania September 2008
This event was held at the Great War Assn. site near Newville, PA over the weekend of September 12-14. The site was harder to get to than usual due a massive Penndot bridge project which is going on the area. Having downloaded the new directions from the GWA website and taking the extra precaution of [...]
Organizations Fight to Save State’s Civil War Battlefields [The State Journal]
Some of West Virginia’s Civil War battlefields are scenes of new fighting.
For the past four years, a group of Jefferson County residents has been fighting to save an historic battlefield there, said Edward Dunleavy, president of the Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association Inc.
“It’s been difficult for the past four years,” he said. “(A developer) bought a [...]
Battle of Point Pleasant Boosts Mason County Tourism [The State Journal]
One community in the state is busy promoting a battle that took place there during the Revolutionary War era.
POINT PLEASANT — Not all heritage tourism in West Virginia revolves around the Civil War.
One community in the state is busy promoting a battle that took place there during the Revolutionary War era. Point Pleasant observes [...]
West Virginia Battles Play Key Role in Civil War [The State Journal]
They might not be the first battles that leap to mind when thinking about the American Civil War, but the battles fought in West Virginia were important, one expert said.
C. Stuart McGehee is a history professor and dean of his department at West Virginia State University. He has spent much of his professional life [...]