Conducted by
Virginia
Morton
Author of
Marching Through Culpeper |
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BY APPOINTMENT ONLY |
$8 per person for groups of 6 to 20 adults
Contact Virginia Morton for price quotes for smaller or
larger groups
(540) 825-9147, morton @edgehillbooks.com
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This
popular two-hour tour will be narrated by Virginia Morton,
author of the civil war novel Marching Through Culpeper.
Come learn about the fighting that took place in the
town and hear the stories of Culpeper's citizens. Culpeper
County witnessed the movement of more troops than any locale
in the nation.
Tours will begin at the
Visitor's Center located in the depot. Please arrive
fifteen minutes early to purchase tickets.
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You will learn why
Culpeper's strategic location made it a favorite camping
ground for both armies, and hear stories of the famous
people who passed through the railroad station. A
detailed description will be given of the Battle of
Culpeper Court House
which raged around the depot on September 13, 1863, and
the role played by General George Armstrong Custer,
U.S.A.
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Stop 2: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
The oldest church in town
was used as a hospital by both sides, and was frequented
by General J.E.B. Stuart and General Robert E. Lee. Hear
what happened to the minister during the occupation of
the town by the Union army under General John Pope, and
learn how some clever young ladies saved the bell.
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"Extra Billy"
Smith George Armstrong
Custer Robert E. Lee
John Pelham A.P.
Hill Ulysses
S. Grant J.E.B. Stuart |
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Stop 3: The Virginia House Hotel and site of the
Shackelford House
The Virginia House Hotel
was frequented by J.E.B. Stuart and the gallant Major
John Pelham, commander of the Stuart Horse Artillery.
They were frequent visitors at Henry Shackelford's house
across the street, and it is believed that John Pelham
had a romantic relationship with Shackelford's daughter
Bessie.
Stop 4.
Site of
the home of "Extra Billy" Smith
"Extra Billy" Smith was
two time governor of Virginia and one of the oldest
generals in the Confederate army. His former home served
as Grant's headquarters during the Winter Encampment of
1863-64.
The tour will proceed to
the current courthouse with the site of the original
courthouse and the boyhood home of A. P. Hill pointed
out en route. Once inside the newly remodeled courtroom,
visitors will have an opportunity to sit and listen to
the events that occurred at the courthouse during the
Civil War, as well as hear about the life of General A.
P. Hill, C.S.A.
Stop 6:
National Cemetery and Hill Mansion
Hill
Mansion was the
home of Edward Baptist Hill, older brother of A. P.
Hill. It was frequented by A. P. Hill and his wife,
Dolly, throughout the war, and Robert E. Lee visited his
middle son, Rooney, here when he was recovering from
wounds received at the Battle of Brandy Station. The
womens' side of the war will be discussed here, as well
as the Winter
Encampment of the Union Army 1863-64.
The
National Cemetery was established in 1866 and remains an
active cemetery today. Union soldiers were
re-interred in this cemetery, primarily from the Cedar
Mountain Battlefield.
The tour concludes with a
story about the "Gray Ghost," John Singleton Mosby, that
took place at the depot.
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Virginia Morton is also available by appointment to
narrate tours of Culpeper's battlefields and other Civil
War sites including the
Cedar Mountain Battlefield
and the Brandy Station
Battlefield. Tour details can be found at
www.edgehillbooks.com. Please contact
Ms. Morton for price quotes and available dates, and to
discuss customizing a tour to your interests. She
can be reached at (540)
825-9147 or
morton@edgehillbooks.com.
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Praise from tour
participants:
"Members of my Civil War
Round Table were awed by the depth and scope of Virginia
Morton's knowledge. Her descriptions were incredible and
standing where so many icons had stood gave me goose
bumps."
- Mary Kuczek,
president of the
Phil Kearney Civil War Round Table of
Northern NJ
"Taking Virginia's tour
allowed a much better understanding of the dynamics of
the battles along with personal familiarity of those who
fought in them. T heartily recommend each Civil War
student come to Culpeper more than once."
- Bill Brown, chairman
of the Rockville, MD Barnes & Noble Civil War Group
"I spent a week in
Virginia attending Civil War seminars and touring sites.
My all-day Culpeper tour with Virginia Morton was the
highlight of my trip. I highly recommend her book and
tours."
- Dr. William Sheehan,
Santa Barbara, CA
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Last modified:
February 23, 2009
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