Posted by John Fox:

I made my first visit to the North-South Skirmish Association meet on Friday at Fort Shenandoah about ten miles northwest of Winchester. The competitive shooting matches with Civil War era weapons brought teams of reenactors plus history fans from far and wide. The five-day competition attracted some 2,000 competitors and about 10,000 spectators according to a Winchester Star article [10/7/13] by staff writer Matt Armstrong.

The N-SSA has meets twice a year, in May and October. Because of my numerous family, writing and airline commitments I had never attended any of these events until last Friday. Thanks to an invitation from Carole Miller, manager of Winchester’s Old Court House Civil War Museum, I joined her next to sutlers row. A number of folks stopped by to talk about books and the conversation consistently turned toward the absurd Government shutdown. The conservative flavor of the event was thick in the air, like the gunsmoke. A glance across the road at the numerous vendors hawking guns and ammo, plus NRA and various anti-government stickers on vehicles, made me ponder how many undercover ATF agents might be in the crowd. When I mentioned this to Carole Miller she admonished me with a stern look to keep my voice down as she pointed skyward. “The drones might hear you,” she said. This brought on something else to ponder amidst the beautiful warm Shenandoah Valley afternoon.

Mortar Competition at N-SSA

Government drones and agents aside, at the end of the day I realized how thankful I am that so many citizens still value the history of our great country. Many of them are willing to take time off from work and to travel long distances to celebrate their passion. It was a lot of fun to talk with many of them. Thanks especially go out to Jim, the archaeologist from Atlanta; several other Georgians from Butts County, Georgia; Mike from Botetourt County, VA who was accompanied by his 15-year-old daughter plus the numerous guys I met from Pittsburgh. I will look forward to attending another great N-SSA event again next year.

Several weeks ago our family drove to Prince William County for my son’s travel soccer game. We exited I-66 near Manassas and soon turned onto Brentsville Road near the county sports complex. Just before crossing the tracks of the former Orange & Alexandria Railroad I noticed a Virginia Civil War Trails sign beckoning me to turn left into Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park. However, I had to continue on to the soccer field. At halftime of my son’s game I saw my opportunity to go on a battlefield adventure and I am glad that I did.      

I pulled into the small parking lot and picked up a walking trail map out of the nearby box. A nearby historical marker noted the nearby graves of Rebel soldiers [Mississippi & Alabama troops I believe] who had succumbed to disease while manning the lengthy defense lines in 1861 and early 1862. A circular walking trail named “A.P. Hill’s Folly” meanders along the ridge and field just west of the railroad. The brochure notes that the trail is 1.3 miles long and will take about 1.5 hours to complete. A quick math calculation spurred me to begin the hike knowing that I could walk the distance in much less than the allotted time. I also didn’t want to miss the second half of my boy’s soccer game, so hustle I did.

The Battle of Bristoe Station took place on October 14, 1863 [150^th anniversary coming up] when General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, reinvigorated with fresh supplies and troops since the Gettysburg fight in July, went on the offensive and nipped at the heels of General George Meade’s retreating Army of the Potomac. General Ambrose Powell [A.P.] Hill’s Confederate Third Corps led an assault against the Union rear guard commanded by General Gouvernour K. Warren. But Hill’s men walked into an ambush because many of Warren’s 2^nd Corps troops hid behind the screening embankment of the railroad. Unwitting Confederate infantry marched northeastward along the ridge leaving their right flank open.  The brutal enfilade fire mauled two North Carolina brigades from Henry Heth’s division [BG John Cooke & BG W.W. Kirkland].

Hill ordered Major David McIntosh to unlimber an artillery battery on the ridge while Southern reinforcements double-quicked to the scene. Blue-clad troops soon overwhelmed Hill’s infantry and overran the cannons. More than 1,300 Confederates fell dead, wounded or missing even though Federal troops soon continued their withdrawal toward Centreville.

A.P. Hill’s rash decision to launch an attack without a proper reconnaissance and without flankers resulted in harsh words from R.E. Lee. The Confederate army commander snapped, “Bury these poor men and let us say no more about it.”

For More visit The Civil War Trust

For mobile tour app see Prince William County Parks

Post from Civil War author John Fox:

I want to thank the many folks who came to historic Hanover Tavern last Tuesday evening [9/17] for the national release of my newest book.  Stuart’s Finest Hour is the first book ever written that narrates Confederate general Jeb Stuart’s June 1862 cavalry raid that circled the entire Union army just east of Richmond. This expedition is the singular event that made Stuart famous.  

Special guests for the evening included Colonel Jeb Stuart IV and his son John [g-grandson & g-g-grandson]; my wife Nancy and my parents Anne & Jay Fox; Frank Louthan [VMI class 1941]; two of my former Collegiate teachers, Charlie McFall and Bubba Lawson and numerous old and new friends. I spoke in the theater about the dramatic raid for about forty minutes and then answered questions before we needed to abandon the room so the Barksdale troupe could practice for their new play, “Say Goodnight Gracie.” 

Many might ask why Hanover Tavern? Earlier this year, I began to search for the right venue and a well known historian recommended that I talk with Hanover Tavern Foundation director David Deal. David and I met and he gave me a tour of the Tavern’s downstairs Barksdale Theatre and the excellent Pub restaurant. Upstairs he showed me the museum that oozed Hanover County history and many of the artifacts and images traced back to the Civil War. David’s enthusiasm for the past soon revealed the various preservation projects that the Foundation has mounted to restore the mid-1700s wood frame wayside spot to its present day splendor.

I knew that the Tavern had played a part in the 1862 raid because Yankee and Rebel troopers exchanged gunfire in front of the place – the first of numerous dustups between the opposing cavalrymen. Then David asked me a great question. “Have you come across any information about some of Stuart’s men wanting to hang the Tavern keeper?” I replied “no,” relieved because the manuscript was being edited and it was not too late to fit in new information. David told me the story and then gave me the primary source. I tracked it down and it turned out to be spot on so  this great nugget of history made it into the book. 

Months ago, David and I agreed that Hanover Tavern had the perfect 1862 aura to serve as a present-day book launch spot. I am glad that we did because the evening could not have been more perfect! Many thanks to David and his staff! Oh by the way, the Pub’s shrimp and grits the other night were superb!