© 2024
Virginia's Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Scottsville Observes 150th Anniversary of Sheridan's Raid

When it comes to Civil War history, many people hear about places like Gettysburg and Manassas, but much of the suffering during that war occurred in small towns like Scottsville which - this weekend - will mark the anniversary of a Union invasion and celebrate the fact that the Yankees are NOT coming back. 

When Evelyn Edson, president of Scottsville’s Museum Board, announced plans to observe the 150th anniversary of General Philip Sheridan’s ride through town, some residents were appalled.  They figured the coming of the Yankees was nothing to celebrate. 

“There was no battle but buildings were burned, supplies were looted, canal boats were destroyed.”

But Edson felt it was important to remember what happened here.

“It’s our history, and we really don’t have an alternate history we can offer, and we thought it was so important that we needed to do something.” 

The HistoryMobile

So they organized a new show at the museum, including the fashions women in mourning wore during and after the Civil War.

“Mourning customs back in the 19th century were quite strict. You went into mourning full black for two years, and then gradually you lightened up to grey and lavender and so on, and one of the women on our committee, Lynn Harris of the United Daughters of the Confederacy has made a collection of mourning accessories and jewelry.”

They also invited the history-mobile to visit this weekend and arranged for horsemen in the enemy’s uniform to ride down Main Street.

“We invited some Union re-enactors - cavalry, to come into town, but we just heard last night that they’re not coming because of the weather.  Apparently it’s much worse up there.”

So local re-enactors will step in for some kind of parade - one far less destructive than the original. Sheridan also looted Lovingston, Amherst, Columbia and Goochland before meeting up with General Sherman’s army moving north.  

Click Here for more information on this weekend's events in Scottsville.

Sandy Hausman is Radio IQ's Charlottesville Bureau Chief
Related Content