Friends of the Wilderness Battlefield Unite!

Hi, all!
Happy Monday! Do people think Mondays are happy days? I don't know...my favorite day is Friday, but Saturdays and Sundays are good too! Stay tuned for an upcoming survey!

I received a great press release I wanted to share with you!

“FRIENDS” GROUP COMMEMORATES BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS
Host of activities planned

May 9-11 Friends of Wilderness Battlefield (FoWB) will host the 144th Anniversary of the Battle of the Wilderness with an array of activities that include…

nationally recognized historians
fascinating presentations
battlefield tours
a special tour at Ellwood of Gen. G. K. Warren’s newly restored Headquarters and an evening program at Guinea Station commemorating Gen. “Stonewall” Jackson’s final evening
the annual Dinner and Auction
Sunday at Ellwood Plantation: A Tribute to Civil War Mothers
breakfasts, lunches, snacks and transportation for most events

Participants may choose to attend one breakfast, one day, only the dinner and Auction or the entire weekend package. All are welcome and encouraged to take part in one or all of the many activities. For more information on the weekend’s activities or to register, visit http://www.fowb.org/ and contact Dale Brown at 540-972-9298 or http://b9.mail.yahoo.com/ym/battlefieldjournal.com/Compose?To=DaleKBrown@verizon.net.

Activities to commemorate the 144th Anniversary of the Battle of the Wilderness include…


A Civil War Conference: Politics and Personalities: The Wilderness Campaign
During three days of the first-ever Wilderness Battle Conference, guests will have the opportunity to explore the whys and wherefores of military command driven by a divided nation and the politics of a Presidential election.

The programs and tours will offer a thorough examination of the influencing politics, personalities and subsequent planning, on both sides of the Rapidan during the Winter Encampments of 1864, followed by an investigation of the complexities of leadership and the resulting successes or failures

In the winter of 1864 Culpeper, VA would find itself inundated with the Army of the Potomac and more than 100,000 Union soldiers. Armies were reorganized, commands were shifted and the Overland Campaign was formulated, leading to the subsequent end at Appomattox. It was to be the straw that broke the back of this little rural village and some may think it is fitting that the conference is headquartered in Culpeper, VA.

The Guest Historians
FoWB is thrilled to announce the roster of guest historians for the 144th Anniversary. Joining Gordon Rhea, Clark “Bud” Hall, and Greg Mertz are Chief Justice Frank Williams of the Rhode Island Supreme Court and Chairman of the Lincoln Forum, and Dr. John Y. Simon, Executive Director and Managing Editor of the Ulysses S. Grant Association. These scholars have collaborated to provide enlightening lectures and stimulating battlefield tours.


The 6th Annual Dinner and Auction: “A Wilderness Evening”
On Saturday, May 10 at the Daniel Technology Center, Culpeper, VA, FoWB will host the social event of the weekend.

The evening kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a Silent Auction accompanied by hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar featuring Barboursville wines and Blue and Gray Brewery beer, a delicious buffet-style dinner catered by Loudelia’s follows.

Chief Justice Frank Williams of the Rhode Island Supreme Court and leading authority on Abraham Lincoln has teamed up with noted author and Civil War scholar, Gordon Rhea to present a stirring visual post-dinner program entitled “Ulysses S. Grant: Seen and Heard.”

A Live Auction highlighted by a 7-Day Cruise for two tops off the evening.

Sunday at Ellwood: A Tribute to Civil War Mothers
The house and grounds are open at no charge to the public from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. with special presentations at 1 and 3 p.m.

The weekend activities are sponsored by the Friends of Wilderness Battlefield and all proceeds benefit the Ellwood restoration Project. For additional information on the weekend and FoWB, visit http://www.fowb.org/.