Hartwood Church
N 38° 24.107 W 077° 34.010
18S E 275856 N 4253515
During the Civil War, Federal troops occupied and desecrated this church, but were subsequently captured by a Confederate squadron who surprised them while they slept.
Waymark Code: WM8WVY
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 05/23/2010
Views: 7
In November 1862, Captain George Johnson and two squadrons of the 3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry occupied the Hartwood Church. They tore out and burned all the woodwork, smashed the windows, and wrote graffiti on the walls. Johnson spent most of the time drawing pictures on the bare plaster and neglected his soldiers' security by ignoring warnings of a possible Confederate attack. A few days after their occupation, while they slept, a Confederate cavalry under General Wade Hampton successfully surprised and captured the Union troops.
In December, Capt. Johnson consequently was court-martialed and dismissed from the army for “disgraceful and unofficerlike conduct”.
After the War, the congregation repaired their vandalized church.
The Presbyterian church still conducts Sunday services every week, but its grounds and cemetery are opened to visitors daily. There is a Civil War Trail interpretive sign.