2023 CWT Muster- and beyond

[stu613]

Some more of day 3 at Oak Hill with Phil Muskett and Carringtons battery

The McLean house and Barlow's knob from Oak Hill.

Looking from Oak Hill towards Chambersburg Pike in the distance, with the unfinished railroad cut and Mc Pherson's ridge. It was across these fields that the Mississippians and North Carolinaians of Davis (CSA), Rodes (CSA) and Daniel (CSA) brigade attacked right to left. You can easily see the swells that "hid" the men of those brigades as they advanced.

Location of Carrington's battery, east of Barlow's Knoll, with Carrington's sword against plaque.

A very special treat-Location of Carrington's battery, east of Barlow's Knoll, with me holding the sword of Gen Turner Ashby. I know Hal's heart must have been in his throat, as we held and passed the sword around- but what a special moment- Thanks, Hal for allowing us to do that!!!!!

 

[stu613]

Day 3 finale-as we were pulling out of Gettysburg on the Chambersburg Pike to head to Winchester, we stopped at the Buford/Reynolds monument and McPherson farm for some last photos before leaving.

 

[stu613]

Day 4 saw us at Meem's bridge and Cross Keys.

Massanutten mountain from the Cross Keys (Widow Pence) farm
.

 

[stu613]

Day 4 continued at the Cross Keys/Widow Pence farm- the fence line marks the Confederate lines (facing to the right) on the Widow Pence farm.

Day 4 just down the road in Port Republic. This is the site of the wartime bridge that Stonewall Jackson crossed to narrowly escape capture. Pilings still exist but are hidden by the foliage.

This is Madison Hall in Port Republic. It served as Jackson's HQ just before the battle of Port Republic.

At Port Republic, this it the view of the battlefield from " the coaling". The coaling was used by union artillery to fire on the Confederate battle lines. One of the units attacking the coaling was Wheat's Louisiana Tigers.

 

[stu613]

Finishing day 4 at the Piedmont battlefield and starting Day 5 in Winchester at Mt. Hebron cemetary, visiting Gen Turner Ashby's grave and at Stonewall Jackson HQ

Piedmont battlefield

Monument near where Gen "Grumble" Jones was mortally wounded during battle of Piedmont.

Presenting Gen Ashby's sword at his grave in Mt. Hebron Cemetary, Winchester, Va., with Diane Dunning and Laura Elliot-two of the muster committee and two of the lead moderators for the CWT wednesday nite Zoom meetings (not to mention two of the nicest sisters you will ever meet).

Priscilla Tate and Phil Muskett heading to the home that served as Stonewall Jackson's HQ in Winchester, Va. The period owners were the GGgrandparents of Mary Tyler Moore.

 

[stu613]

Day 6 of my trip (saturday of official muster). We toured 3rd Winchester battlefield, led by the president of the SVBT, Nicholas Picerno. We started as seen here at the locaton of Breathed's (CSA) battery.

locaton of Breathed's (CSA) battery, looking north west

crossing Red Bud run. Breathed's battery is off to the right with the first and second woods beyond the trees to the left.

The Ohio monument at 3rd Winchester- it was my understanding this is a fairly new addition.

 

[stu613]

CORRECTION: The previous set of photos at 3rd Winchester were actually taken on Friday, not Saturday. On day 7, the real saturday we ventured down to Fisher's Hill, Bowan's Ford and Cedar Creek.

The crew listens intently about the events on Fisher's Hill, We were the first people allowed back up on the hill after a recent dangerous gas line explosion and fire.

The view at Bowman's Mill Ford.

The view looking east from Thoburn's position just north of Bowman's Mill Ford.

 

[Tony Z]

The last photo is stunning!

 

[stu613]

The last photo is stunning!

Thank you. I hope you find the others I will be posting as interesting.

 

[stu613]

From Bowman's Mill Ford we journeyed to the Belle Grove plantation at Cedar Creek, where we had lunch and then we split into two groups, one explored the plantation, the other went and toured union entrenchments. I will let you guess which one I did. Afterwards we all went for a first ever tour of the Miller House, recently acquired by the SVBT.

The front entrance to Belle Grove plantation.

Inside Belle Grove, the room where Gen Stephen Ramsuer (CSA) passed away, while his friend Gen George A Custer (USA) sat by his side.

One of the out buildings near the Miller house- I forget what it was- sorrry about that

Waiting to go into the Miller House.

The parkng area of the Miller house- it was somewhere near where the cars are parked, that Gen Stephen Ramsuer (CSA) was mortally wounded.

 

[gjpratt]

Yikes!! I see my car! I did not get that memo.

 

[stu613]

Yikes!! I see my car! I did not get that memo.

yes, i think you were still inside the house when that was discussed. That was part of the reason, Aaron took us over by there later and had us all line up for the picture.

 

[JerryD]

We finished the first day at Spotslyvania CH and the Wilderness. Day 2, we visited Harpers Ferry and Antietam NMP. Here are a couple of Spotsylvania CH and Harper's Ferry.View attachment 487820

Spotsylvania CH- looking north to the mule shoe.

View attachment 487821

Harpers Ferry street view


View attachment 487822
Harper's Ferry-the old firehouse used by John Brown-not the original location.

View attachment 487823

Harpers Ferry, looking towards railroad tunnel- town is to my back.

Also known as Maryland Heights.

 

[stu613]

I'm a Texas boy thru and thru, but its hard to beat the view in the Valley. Sunday, last day of muster as we leave Winchester and head down to New Market.

Once in New Market, we get to hear about Stanley Hall.

 

[stu613]

And to finish up the formal muster on sunday afternoon, we visited the New Market Battlefield area, pictured are the Bushong farm and the VMI New Market museum (with the statue of Stonewall Jackson that was formerly in front of VMI).

Bushong farm

VMI New Market museum (with the statue of Stonewall Jackson that was formerly in front of VMI)

 

[stu613]

So official muster is complete on Sunday afternoon, and we take the Skyline Drive back to Gettysburg.

 

[stu613]

And the last of the Skyline dr as we approach Front Royal, before we head to Gettysburg.

Same tree trunk, just the other side- I thought it was a cool view!

Looking west,at the Shennandoah River.

Last view, just before we descend into Front Royal.

 

[stu613]

looks like I am losing my audience but what the heck. We are back in Gettysburg, and a few pics taken while on the tour with Phil Muskett covering the actions of the 9th Alabama.

Confederate Ave., looking North from the area near the Florida monument.

Confederate Ave., looking east, from the area near the Florida monument, Phil, Paul and Priscilla on the trail heading east to the H. Spangler house
.

From the H. Spangler farm looking east towards Emmitsburg road.

From the Emmitsburg road looking west towards H. Spangler farm.

 

[stu613]

Rest easy, getting near the end. Some more of our return visit to Gettysburg.

Lookin NE, across Emmitsburg road.

Currently located in the Seminary museum, this is the letter left by the 9th Alabama at the George Culp house.

The Seminary museum, a recreation of the real face of war.

Walk out the backdoor (or should I say maindoor) of the Seminary museum and this is what greets you in mid-October.

 

[stu613]

After leaving the Seminary museum, we re-drove Confederate Ave, and after some 60+ years and dozens of visits to Gettysburg- I finally made it to Sachs bridge!

Confederate Ave

Confederate Ave

and then the famous Sachs bridge

Sachs bridge