First Kernstown Programs at Rose Hill
Saturday March 24, 2012
Tour the grounds of the famous First Battle of Kernstown, interact with living-history interpreters, and see cavalry and artillery demonstrations.
At 1:30 p.m. Gary Ecelbarger, Civil War historian and author of We Are In For It!: The First Battle of Kernstown, will lead a guided battlefield tour during which he will retrace the battle’s movements, discuss military tactics, and share personal stories of the soldiers involved in the fight. At 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., costumed actors will present “War on our Doorstep” during which will they will portray witnesses to the battle. Throughout the day, historians from the Constitution Fencibles will demonstrate daily camp activities and military duties of the Civil War soldier. The Constitution Fencibles have presented programs at many national historical parks, including Harpers Ferry, Gettysburg, Antietam, and Appomattox. www.shenandoahmuseum.org.
Schedule of Constitution Fencibles programs:
(Click here for printable version)
10:00 AM...... Confederate Cavalry Demonstration:
The Valley Light Horse will provide information on the use of cavalry in the Civil War, the basic equipment of the trooper and how the mounted branch of the service was used at Kernstown.
10:30 AM........Federal Infantry Demonstration:
Firing and drill demonstration. Learn how the soldiers marched, fought and why drill was so important
11:00 AM........Confederate Infantry and Artillery Demonstration:
Starting with an artillery presentation, visitors will discover what was involved in operating a cannon, the roles of the cannoneers, the types of ammunition used, and then watch it fire. Also learn about the role of the Confederate artillery at Kernstown, their disadvantages and the ordeal of retreat.
Upon the artillery's final firing, the infantry will come forward and form as skirmishers. Learn how the battle of Kernstown began with troop formations such as this and how commands were related to the men by bugle calls.
12:00 Noon......Cavalry Demonstration:
Learn how the troopers fought dismounted, the weapons they carried and how they cared for their most important asset: their horses.
12:30 PM.......... Artillery Demonstration:
1:00 PM........... In Camp with the Union Army:
Learn about some of the men who served in Colonel Erastus B. Tyler's Brigade. In particular, those men of the 1st Virginia. How was it that men from Virginia came to find themselves on opposite sides of this conflict at Kernstown? In addition, learn about what the Federal soldiers ate, what they carried, wore and how they lived in the field.
2:00 PM.........."The Rush For The Wall":
Join our Confederate troops portraying the 23rd Virginia Infantry as they march across the field and race the Federal 1st Virginia for possession of the stonewall. Visitors will be able to "fall in" the ranks with the men and make the assault on the wall over the same ground that Colonel Samuel Fulkerson's Brigade did on March 23, 1862.
3:00 PM......... Field Music of the Civil War:
The importance of the fife and drum.
3:30 PM.........Final artillery presentation
The site opens at 10 AM and closes at 4 PM. Aside from the scheduled programs, camps are open all day. See what the soldiers ate, how they camped and the equipment they used. Talk with them about their musket. Find out about some of the local residents who served in Stonewall Jackson's command and their experiences at this battle. Discuss the details of the Battle of Kernstown and Jackson's 1862 Valley Campaign. We hope you will join us and enjoy your visit to Rose Hill and 1st Kernstown Battlefield for this 150th anniversary commemoration.
To download a printable version of the schedule, click here.
- Rose Hill Farm
- 1850 Jones Road
- Winchester, VA 22602
Category:
Living History
Hours:
Starts at 10:00am
Ends at 4:00pm
Admission Fee/Ticket Price:
Free to MSV & KBA Members and youth 12 and under; all others: $5 (payable on site) or free with purchase of MSV gallery admission on March 24.
Location:
Phone:
(540) 662-1473 (x224)
