Fourth Quarter Newsletter 2024
Inquiring Minds Want to Know...
Teamwork!
by Joe Lafleur, Program Chair
Payne's Farm Battlefield
Photo by Joe Lafleur
On Thursday, June 20, a hiking meeting of the hearts and minds involved with preserving and restoring the Payne's Farm Battlefield of the Mine Run Campaign occurred at Payne's Farm. The President, Vice President, and Program Manager of Friends of Wilderness Battlefield met with local representatives of the Farmers' Cooperative, State Officials, and the American Battlefield Trust to define goals and formulate a plan to balance the management of the needs of military historians, agricultural uses, and birding and wildflower trails.
Interpretation at Payne's Farm
by Don Shockey, Operations Chair
L-R: Bob Epp, John Vagnetti, Don Shockey, and Bob Lookabill.
Photo by Beth Stenstrom
FOWB Volunteers were out on the landscape again, interpreting at Payne's Farm in Locust Grove, VA. Volunteers set up their shade canopy on Saturdays and Sundays beginning June 15 and ending August 11, from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Originally, we planned to be there from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, but the summer heat caused us to cut back the hours for the safety of our volunteers.
Payne's Farm is part of the Mine Run Campaign, which occurred November 26 - December 2, 1863. There are several excellent books written about it, including The Great Battle Never Fought, by Chris Mackowski. You can get it on Amazon.com
Volunteers Help Steward Payne's Farm
by Beth Stenstrom, FOWB Vice-President
Photo by Beth Stenstrom
On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, volunteers from FOWB, Friends of Cedar Mountain, several Master Naturalists, and several Master Gardeners, gathered together to help steward the property on Payne's Farm. Led by the American Battlefield Trust Land Stewardship Manager, Tom Saielli, the group focused on "cut stump" strategies to manage the small, woody invasive vines and shrubs. Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus Umbellata), Privet (Ligustrum Sinese), and Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera Japonica) are the dominant invasive species throughout the woods, along edges, and around the pond. Other invasive plants that are sporadically present include Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) and multiflora Rose (Rosa Multiflora), and significant Lespedeza (Chinese Bush Clover).
After a brief safety talk and information about what we need to do, plus some excellent education about pesticides, the group got to work, but not until getting a group photo! ABT and the other groups working together will have more workdays coming up... A few more at Payne's Farm, some at Cedar Mountain Battlefield, and some at Culpeper Crossing in Remington. These workdays will be scheduled throughout the fall and the winter. The Orange County Chamber of Commerce donated bottles of water and Gatorade, which was appreciated by all.
Butterflies were abundant that day, with the milkweed at the end of their blooming season. The goal is to keep the property as a safe ecosystem for the animals and native plants, so that nature lovers, walkers, and Civil War History Buffs can enjoy it for years to come.
Photos by Gary Close
Orange Street Festival
September 14
FOWB Volunteers had a booth again this year at the Orange Street Festival on Saturday, September 15. Ruth Pavlik, Suzanne Baxter, Bob Epp and Michael Block visited with folks all day and had a wonderful time. We could not have asked for better weather! Photo by Dian Epp.
Central Virginia Battlefields Trust Conference
September 13 - 15
Foggy Morning on the Brandy Station Battlefield
Photo by Beth Stenstrom
Quite a few FOWB members attended the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust Conference on September 13 - 15. On Thursday, September 12, CVBT held a special tour for their "Generals", those partners who donate at least $1,000 over regular membership dues. Chris Army, with Culpeper Battlefield Tours, and Terry Rensel, CVBT Executive Director, guided us around the Brandy Station Battlefield, including stops at Beverly's Ford, Buford's Knoll, St James Church, Fleetwood Hill, and Lenn Park.
The regular conference started on Friday, September 13, with two full busloads of enthusiastic attendees heading to Payne's Farm, for a special tour with Paul Sacra. Paul and Ted Savas correctly identified the battlefield 36 years ago. This battle occurred as part of the Mine Run Campaign in the late fall of 1863.
Paul Sacra leading a tour at Payne's Farm
Photo by Beth Stenstrom
On Saturday, September 14, our busses departed promptly at 9:00 AM, and historian (and FOWB board member) Greg Mertz led us on an extended tour of the Wilderness area. Stops included the sites of Robinson's Tavern, the Catlett Rhoads house, the site of Lee's Headquarters in Orange County near Bloomsbury in the winter of 1863-1864, the base of Clark's Mountain, and A P Hill's Headquarters, Mayhurst. We stopped for lunch at beautiful Mountain Run Lake Park, and then continued on with stops at the Graffiti House, Fleetwood Hill, Madden's Tavern, and the U.S. Colored Troops Monument, plus we talked about the crossing at Germanna Ford.
Historian Greg Mertz at Mayhurst
Photo by Beth Stenstrom
Everyone rushed home to clean up and attend the Annual Meeting and Banquet at the Jepson Center, with excellent Keynote Speaker William C "Jack" Davis, who talked about "Civil War Mythology, Then and Today."
William C "Jack" Davis
Photo by Beth Stenstrom
Sunday morning found us at Stevenson Ridge for a delicious breakfast and delightful fellowship, followed by an excellent presentation by Stephen Cushman based on his new book, The Generals' Civil War, What Their Memoirs Can Teach Us Today. Following the presentation, he answered numerous questions and people lined up to buy copies of his book!
Stephen Cushman
Photo by Joe Lafleur
Upcoming Events:
Cemetery Marker Workday
Saturday, November 2, 2024
9:00 AM
Fredericksburg Confederate Cemetery
1100 Washington Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
All FOWB members, November 2nd is the date for the next installation of Flat Markers in the Fredericksburg Confederate Cemetery. The remainder of the last order of replacement markers will be placed that day, weather permitting.
FOWB has contributed both financial and physical assistance to this program for a number of years. The new markers are placed in front of the old markers that were installed back in the 19th Century, many of which are in need of correcting, or have disintegrated because of weather. Included in this year’s purchase are three markers that relate to Confederate Soldiers that died on the Wilderness Battlefield and which were designated as FOWB buys.
Volunteers are encouraged to arrive at the Confederate Cemetery by 9 am that day and to wear outdoor work clothes. In addition to gloves, you should bring shovels and other tools that would work well in removing sod and tamping of pea gravel. Drinks will be provided during the work session and Pizza will be available upon completion of the day’s work. For more information, please call Bob Epp at 703-475-6233.24
New Hope Baptist Church in Locust Grove, VA. This is not the original building that was there in 1863, but it is still historic.
FOWB Annual Meeting
Saturday, November 9, 2024
New Hope Baptist Church
32250 Old Plank Road
Locust Grove, VA 22508
10:30:00 AM - 2:00 PM
You are cordially invited to the FOWB Annual Meeting at the New Hope Baptist Church on Saturday, November 9, 2024. Check in starts at 10:30 AM and the Business Meeting will begin promptly at 11:00 AM. We have a lot of interesting news to share with you, plus we will be electing officers to the board of directors.
Following the Business Meeting, a delicious lunch will be provided by Generals Quarters Catering, with a delectable menu of:
Honey Glazed Ham
Chicken Fricassee
Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Winter Vegetables
Corn Bread and Butter
Apple Crisp
Water
Reservations are required in order for us to know how many people we need to plan for the meal. All RSVP's must be in no later than Friday, October 25!
FOWB members eat free, and guests are $25.00 a plate.
Once we have enjoyed our meal and some great fellowship, we will reconvene to hear a special presentation by historian Michael Block about the Mine Run Campaign.
Check out this excellent article by Sarah Kay Bierle about the history of this property.
You may also read about the history on the New Hope Baptist Church's website:
(Go to the About tab)
Did you know?
Making gifts to FOWB during your lifetime:
When you make a gift to Friends of Wilderness Battlefield as a QCD (qualified charitable distribution) from your individual retirement account (IRA) or Roth IRA, you do not pay income taxes on the distribution. Funds gifted from your IRA will NOT subject your Social Security income to higher tax levels and will count toward your annual required minimum distribution (RMD). If you are 73 or older, you can make a gift in 2024 from your IRA up to $105,000 per IRA owner or beneficiary. Contact your tax advisor to determine if this is appropriate for your situation.
Making gifts to FOWB at your death:
Would you like to leave a legacy to Friends of Wilderness Battlefield? A gift through your will, trust, a direct beneficiary designation, or estate is the easiest gift you can make today. You may add a provision in your will or trust designating either a specific amount, a percentage, or all or part of the residue of your estate to FOWB. Bequests provide flexibility in that they allow you to make a gift commitment now by including a provision in your will or trust while preserving the right to make changes at any time in the future should your circumstances change. Certain bequests in trust are not subject to estate taxation. Your assets remain in your control during your lifetime. You can modify your gift to address changing circumstances. It’s a great way to help support the mission of Friends of Wilderness Battlefield.
FoWB, Inc. is 501 (c) (3) Not for Profit Organization.
Tax ID # 42-1689437