Warwick School Visits Cedar Mountain Battlefield

Cedar Mountain Battlefield welcomed students from the Warwick School, Warwick, United Kingdom. Warwick School is no stranger to Cedar Mountain, for they had a memorable visit in 2016.

The school came on two different days in two groups.

The oldest boys’ school in England, Warwick School has been in continuous existence at least from the days of King Edward the Confessor (reigned 1042-1066) when the fledgling town possessed a school under the tutelage of All Saints’ Church. Warwick School was named England’s Independent Boys School of year in October, 2022.

The groups visited Cedar Mountain as part of an east coast history tour. Other stops included New York City, Washington, D. C., Gettysburg and Charlottesville. The trip coincided with the school’s fall break.

The tour was originally planned for the Spring of 2020, but the worldwide pandemic forced the postponement. When the four-day window for sign-ups were opened this past spring, 90 boys committed to the trip by the deadline.

The visitors arrived in two groups on separate days, October 20 & 23. Volunteer Michael Block treated the boys to a short battlefield walk and discussed among other topics, highlights of the 1862 battle, battlefield preservation, and the KOCOA system of military terrain analysis. The acronym stands for Key terrain, Obstacles, Cover and concealment, Observation points, and Avenues of approach and retreat.

Michael Block points out key geography on the battlefield.

FCMB board members Brad Forbush & Vic Middlekauff brought muskets for the guests to handle, so they could get a tactile experience of period weapons. Vic was also able to demonstrate equipment typical the soldiers from both sides carried.

Vic Middlekauff demonstrates CW period equipments.

A highlight of the tour for each group was being formed into two gun crews, and put through the motions of a Civil War battery utilizing ‘unique’ homemade props.

Michael takes the boys through an artillery drill with home-made props.

The Head Boy, Josh Turner, passed through the tour leaders, to the FOCMB, saying what a fantastic time they spent with us at Cedar Mountain.

Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield provided water-bottle souvenirs and snacks to all the guests.

The group is already looking forward to their next visit to America and Cedar Mountain. The next time the young men visit Cedar Mountain, it will be part of the newly minted Culpeper Battlefield State Park.

The group leaders, Mr. John Jefferies (Senior Tutor and Head of Politics), and Mr. Olly O’Brian (Head of History) host a history and politics podcast (UK focused, but they do occasionally cross the pond). You can listen to the Heaton podcast here   or wherever you find your podcasts.  

Note:  If link does not work paste this into your browser:  https://theheatonpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

Guided battlefield tours

Join Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield (FCMB) historians for guided walking tours of the battlefield on the second Saturday of the month. Learn about the August 9, 1862 encounter in which Confederate troops led by General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson prevailed over Federal troops led by General Nathaniel Banks at a cost of 3800 men killed or wounded. Continue reading “Guided battlefield tours”

History seminar July 28-30: 160th anniversary of battle

Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield will host a history seminar in Culpeper, Virginia, July 28-30, 2022 to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the August 9, 1862 battle.

A series of speakers will give battle-related presentations on Friday, July 29, and Saturday, July 30, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm. Friday evening will feature a keynote presentation. Morning presentations on Friday and Saturday will be followed by afternoon guided tours.  On Friday, July 29, the afternoon walking tour will explore historic downtown Culpeper. On Saturday, July 30, the afternoon tour will be at Cedar Mountain Battlefield. Continue reading “History seminar July 28-30: 160th anniversary of battle”

Guided Battlefield Tour

Join Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield (FCMB) historians for a guided walking tour of the battlefield on Saturday, March 27 at 10:00 am. Learn about the August 9, 1862 encounter in which Confederate troops led by General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson prevailed over Federal troops led by General Nathaniel Banks at a cost of 3800 men killed or wounded. Continue reading “Guided Battlefield Tour”