Spotsylvania Civil War Blog: Irene's Effects Temporarily Closed Spotsylvania Unit For Clean Up. Site Reopened August 30.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Irene's Effects Temporarily Closed Spotsylvania Unit For Clean Up. Site Reopened August 30.

The Spotsylvania Unit of the F&SNMP temporarily closed during clean up of storm damage from the heavy winds and rain brought in the wake of hurricane Irene on Saturday, August 27. Damage was fortunately limited, and consisted primarily of road obstructions from fallen limbs and debris.

A drive through the park late on Tuesday, along with a pedestrian survey along the Bloody Angle, showed no adverse effects from the thorough soaking the region received over the weekend.

Cannon at Spotsylvania as rain sets in on Saturday, August 27, 2011, around 12:30 PM.

The park closed later that afternoon at 3:00 PM.

View looks north west from Anderson Drive, inside the Mule Shoe Salient.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Why I am here:

I am the owner of Spotsylvania Commemorative. For over 20 years I provided battlefield guide services, but as of January 1, 2022, I have retired from that aspect of my work. I continue to conduct historical research and assist and advise fellow historians. Living on the Spotsylvania battlefield has its advantages. The most important to me is that I am right on the ground that played an important but usually disregarded role in the campaign. The actions of May 14, 1864 resulted in the near capture of General George Gordon Meade while it also helped to anchor a new Federal left wing. Known as the battle of Myer's Hill, it focused on what was until recently a wooded summit, one half mile southeast from my driveway. There remains close to 75 acres of land which includes the Myer house site. In 1864 it was a 400 acre farm. I advocated for 20 years to influence the preservation of this property. During this time I sadly witnessed the destruction of some of the cultural resources on the site by deforesting, including what was a beautifully preserved trenchline built by the Federal 6th Corps. Seeing an imminent threat to the house site, I personally negotiated with the logging company and minimized the damage, while the surrounding acres were clear cut.
I have come to know the story of John Henry Myer and his family and the struggle for the farm site they called home. Myer, conscripted into the 40th VA Infantry, watched helpless from the Confederate trenches on May 15, 1864 as his home was destroyed by the Union occupants. It had been intended as a sanctuary from the ravages of war.
Their story, and those of countless others, is my inspiration. Thankfully, in 2018, the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust did purchase, and now aims to interpret, the Myer's Hill battlefield. I shall continue to advocate and assist where I can.

Battlefield Guide Services

Monday, August 29, 2011

Irene's Effects Temporarily Closed Spotsylvania Unit For Clean Up. Site Reopened August 30.

No comments: