Rappahannock County Commemorates Its Civil War Heritage
Saturday, September 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Special Guest — Screen Writer-Director Ron Maxwell
Artillery • Infantry & Cavalry Demonstrations • Youth Boot Camp
• Period Music & Dancing
Rappahannock County, Virginia —In the summer of 1862, nearly 20,000 men of the 2nd Corps of General John Pope's newly formed Union Army of Virginia, under the command of General Nathaniel Banks, encamped on the grounds of what is now the Rappahannock County Visitors Center for nearly a month.
The Federals were still reeling from recent defeats in the northern Shenandoah Valley, for which Rappahannock was a major thoroughfare during the Civil War for both Union and Confederate forces as part of the territory known as Mosby's Confederacy. Today, the quiet grounds bear picnic tables, dog runs and Civil War Trail markers, as well as an historic farm house where vacationers are welcomed to the county.
Join living history re-enactors on this historic encampment site, Saturday, September 29, 9 a.m. -- 5 p.m., as they commemorate the Civil War Sesquicentennial in Rappahannock County. Special guest and noted screen writer-director, Ron Maxwell, will present commentary on his newest film, "The Copperhead," as well as "Gettysburg" and "Gods and Generals." Civil War expert, Art Candenquist, will present "Civil War Comes to the Morning Side of the Blue Ridge." Other presentations include "Civil War Medicine" and "Civil War Railroads."
The day includes skirmishes, cavalry demonstrations, artillery and infantry firing demonstrations, musical performances by Shenandoah Valley Minstrels and South Fork and dancing by Tom and Lesley Mack, leaders of the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Era Dancers. Also, a Youth Boot Camp will be held at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Events held on the grounds of the Rappahannock County Visitors Center
3 Library Road (adjacent to Rte. 211) • Washington, VA 22747
(a mile and a half east of the historic Town of Washington, Virginia, and 65 miles
west of Washington, D.C.)
Admission is Free • Rain or Shine • Lunch Items Available for Purchase
See Website for Schedule & Directions
Sponsored & Organized by the Rappahannock County Sesquicentennial Committee
