Fisher's Hill Battlefield-Veteran's Picnic Grounds - Fishers Hill VA
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 38° 59.040 W 078° 23.805
17S E 725487 N 4318224
Soon after the end of the Civil War, veterans on both sides began holding reunions to walk the familiar battlegrounds and renew friendships with former comrades.
Waymark Code: WM12R33
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 07/05/2020
Views: 3
Fisher's Hill Battlefield-Veteran's Picnic Grounds-- Soon after the end of the Civil War, veterans on both sides began holding reunions to walk the familiar battlegrounds and renew friendships with former comrades. Here at Fisher's Hill, veterans of the battle fought on September 22, 1864, started gathering in the 1880s to commemorate their war experiences. Local veterans and others purchased portions of the battlefield land to hold annual picnics. Over the years, hundreds and then thousands of Northern and Southern veterans attended with their families and friends. Participants from outside the local area took trains to nearby Strasburg, or to Staunton, 80 miles south, then journeyed here to the reunion each August. At their peak of popularity, these reunions often attracted 9,000-10,000 people. Here at Fisher's Hill there was a steam-powered mery-go-round as well as barbecue pits and picnic areas. National and state dignitaries often spoke at the reunions.
Such gatherings of veterans served several purposes, including battlefield preservation as well as opportunities to reminisce. Veteran's organizations, ladies' commemoration and memorization societies, and other such groups were active in finding and laying to rest soldiers' remains dedicating and maintaining cemeteries, purchasing battlefield land, marking key sites with monuments, and honoring the service and valor of Civil War soldiers on both sides.
Type of site: Other Military Site
Address:
intersection of Battlefield Road (County Route 601) and Tripplet Road (County Route 821)
east of the Norfolk Southern Railroad overpass
Fishers Hill, VA USA
22626
Admission Charged: No Charge
Website: [Web Link]
Phone Number: Not listed
Driving Directions: Not listed
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