Camp McGowan Winter Hut Encampment - Orange County VA USA - Historic Reenactments on Waymarking.com

During the winter of 1863 - 1864, both the Union and Confederate armies went into encampment suspending major operations until the spring. After the Gettysburg campaign in the summer of 1863, Gen. Robert E. Lee had retreated to Orange County, VA and stationed his troops along the Rapidan River.

Gen. Samuel McGowan's South Carolina Brigade set up their winter camp in the fields surrounding Montpelier, James Madison's mansion. The men built huts excavating a shallow foundation and using logs and their tents for the walls and roofs. They used mud to chink the cracks and a hearth was built into each hut for warmth. Nearly 500 men occupied this hut city. It was laid out for quick deployment. When orders came to evacuate for Wilderness in the spring, the soldiers were out of there in 30 minutes.

Today, woods stand where the fields did, but wander up a trail and you will see the huts and you might see Confederate soldiers wandering around camp carrying out duties, building more huts, cooking over fires, practicing shooting their muskets -- just everyday activities of camp life. You can check out their tents and huts, look at the duty roster, see their supplies and equipment. One of the soldiers might even share some of his roasted corn kernels or stick bread (corn meal dough wrapped around a stick and baked in the fire) while you share stories. Another will demonstrate how a musket was loaded and fired. They might even try to enlist you into some log-pulling. Be forewarned that all trails are guarded by a sentry, but he is usually friendly and will invite you right into camp.

Civil War reenactors from the 3rd Regiment of the Army of Northern Virginia are usually in camp in the spring and summer on the 3rd Sunday of every month. Check the calendar of events for more info.

References:

• On site information
• McGowan's Brigade Winter Camp Site

Dates of reenactment: From: 04/18/2010 To: 08/15/2010 What the reenactment is related to: War Cost to attend reenactment: Free Additional parking coordinates (if necessary): N 38° 13.780 W 078° 10.633 Cost for parking: Free Cost for participants: 0 Special Events: Musket firing demonstration Website for further information: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:
At least one photo of the reenactment taken by you along with your thoughts and impressions on the event and any changes in location or date the original waymarker may need to know about.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   08/13/2011 Rivers End visited it