150 Years Ago: Kelly’s Ford

Today marks the 150th anniversary of the battle of Kelly’s Ford. I’ll be out on the battlefield most of today, involved with a couple of activities looking back at the battle. So treat this as a “live blogging” placeholder. I’ll post photos as time (and bandwidth) permits.

My pal Don has hinted at a St. Patrick’s Day post on his Regular Cavalry in the Civil War blog. So please check his site.

Looking at the ford site, 150 years ago to the morning:

The markers that once stood on the “Yankee” side of the Rappahannock now stand on the southern end.  Not as easy to visualize the actions from this point, but safer to stop.

Where the “Gallant” Pelham fell:

The new interpretive site on the north end of the battlefield:

Looking south towards Carter’s Run and the location of the closing actions of the battle:

And we did have our coffee on hand to toast the men who fought in the battle:

Kelly’s Ford Sesquicentennial and Interpretive Site Dedication

The 150th anniversary of the Battle of Kelly’s Ford is just a few days away.  And just in time for that date, a new interpretive site has gone up on ground preserved at the end of last year.  The site will be part of the Virginia Civil War Trails system.  The spot is just off Newby’s Shop Road, overlooking ground now covered by a preservation easement.

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The event is scheduled for Sunday March 17 at 2:30-3:15 pm, roughly 150 years to the hour when the fighting occurred at the site.

While the focus of this event is to recall and consider the events that took place 150 years ago, it will also mark the formal opening of this new interpretive site.  The site came together with contributions from the land owner and several local businesses. The additional interpretation will aid those visiting the site, going a long way to aid understanding the 1863 battle.

At the event, the folks who organized and promoted the new interpretive site will recognize those donors who helped bring this to a reality.  A representative from the Civil War Trust will also speak.  In addition, I will be speaking about the closing stages of the battle and on the importance of Kelly’s Ford.

If you plan to attend, please contact me (comment or email is fine).  The event organizer needs a headcount, and I’ll make sure you are counted.

Oh… and bring some coffee with you!  We shall have our toast!

Preservation win at Kelly’s Ford

In mid October, Civil War Trust opened a three-pronged campaign to lock in acres at the Kelly’s Ford, Sailor’s Creek, and Appomattox battlefields. The opportunity at Kelly’s Ford stood out for several reasons. Not only could we, in one action, lock in the core of a battlefield, this would also be the largest preservation effort by the Trust in its 25 year history. With 964 acres, the Kelly’s Ford acquisition could be the largest accomplished by the modern preservation movement.

Well on Saturday, I received notice that the Trust had indeed reached their fund raising goals. Remarkably, within two months, we reached the $82,548 required. That section of yellow may now be moved over to the “preserved” column.

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I propose we celebrate this victory…. not now, but on March 17, 2013. Let us enjoy a coffee at the location where General William Averell left a sack of coffee for General Fitz Lee. Now that would be a sesquicentennial moment, don’t you think?