On September 18th Historians Colonel Keith Gibson, of the Virginia Military Institute, Frank O'Reilly of the National Park Service and Tom Van Winkle of the CVBT, led a packed bus of Civil War preservationists on a tour of the  Fredericksburg battlefield and a rare opportunity to visit the 1862/63 headquarters of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson , Moss Neck.

Logan Creek Designs of Abington, VA crafts hand made Civil War campaign furniture. Several of their pieces were scene in the "Gods and Generals" movie. Joe and Margaret Cress, Logan Creek owners, donated all proceeds after expenses to the CVBT. This donation totaled over $2,500.00.

To further the excitement of the tour well known artist Mort Künstler personally donated an appropriate print depicting General Robert E. Lee visiting General Jackson at Moss Neck in Christmas of 1862. This print was raffled off to tour participants only and raised an additional $1,000.00.

Tour participants began the day on Saturday boarding the bus at the Fredericksburg downtown Marriott hotel. The first stop was Fredericksburg's City Dock where Colonel Gibson discussed the Union and Confederate changes and realignments in both command and troops. Union pontoon crossing sites were discussed while period photos of these crossings were distributed.

The tour progressed to the pontoon crossing where Union soldiers boarded pontoon boats to reach the Fredericksburg shoreline in what is considered the first amphibious military landing in U.S. history.

Moss Neck was the next stop. After the bus took an interesting route through the property to the manor house they were met by Frank O'Reilly from The National Park Service. Frank is an expert on Moss Neck and treated the group to stories of Jackson's headquarters which were not in the manor house but an out building. Jackson had first pitched tents for himself and his subordinates on a hillside. After some "creative" illnesses were contracted by his command the doctor, Hunter Maguire, convinced the General that it would be wise to move the encampment up the hill. Jackson's subordinates thought they were finally going to stay in the manor house but were dismayed to see this would not be the case.

Frank explained the relationships the Corbin Family who owned the manor had with Jackson and especially the bond formed between the General and the Corbin's young daughter Janie. Frank walked the group down to the rediscovered Corbin cemetery and recounted the story of Jackson and young Janie. Standing directly next to Janie's grave Frank had the group in tears explaining how young Janie had died of Scarlett fever and how Jackson was devastated by this.

The group traveled back to Fredericksburg and had lunch at the famous St Georges Episcopal Church where Craig Rains delivered a program. Craig explained the church's history during the Civil War as a hospital. He also recounted a story of how during the Union looting of the town the church's silver communion set had been taken. The set was eventually completely recovered from several separate sources through time and is used today.

Colonel Gibson then treated the group to a walk down the famous Sunken Road below Marye's Heights. Colonel Gibson described the fruitless attacks by the Union across the field towards the wall crowded with Confederates shooting at will. Tom Van Winkle continued passing around period photos including one of the Innis house from the exact position the tour group was standing.

During the tour stops Tom Van Winkle, of CVBT, discussed the parts of the battlefield CVBT had saved by purchasing or easements. The group began to realize the threats facing our battlefields and the enormous task it is to protect them, not to mention the expense.

The next stop was Prospect Hill. This is where Stonewall Jackson's 2nd Corps took position on the heights on the Confederate right. Jackson had his artillery directed toward what would become known as the Slaughter Pen on the 13th of December. Colonel Gibson discussed the Confederate line and the vulnerable gap left in what was thought to be an impenetrable swampy area. This would, of course, not be the case.

Pelham's Corner was the next stop, also saved by CVBT. Tom discussed Pelham's dramatic work with one cannon to hold the Union offensive on Slaughter Pen and the resolve of Pelham's gunner to continue the assault. Pelham had one other gun dispatched to him which was positioned between Pelham and the Confederate line, a rifled Blakely cannon, which got off one shot before being hit by Union gunners.

The tour ended with a stop at the Slaughter Pen. Tom Van Winkle painted a picture of the Union advance by Meade, Gibbon and the non support of Doubleday who was protecting the flank, caused by Pelham's gun earlier. The ambiguous orders that Franklin had received from Burnside were reviewed and the consequences of those orders. Tom explained the Union shelling of the heights and how the Confederates did not return fire. The Confederate artillery finally opened up and decimated the Union onslaught. Tom recounted the failed Union assault even though the Union had exposed that swampy gap in Jackson's line. The fact that the Slaughter Pen, is to date, the most expensive Civil War battlefield property ever purchased was discussed. Tom explained how the CVBT has pledged one million dollars to this cause and had paid $850,000.00 of that pledge.

The bus returned to the Marriott at 4:30 and participants had time to relax and freshen up before a delicious buffet dinner at Amy's Cafe in historic Falmouth. Plenty of food and spirits were available as well as live entertainment  by Keith Gibson, his wife Pat and Joe Cress all playing instruments and engaging the group in several sing alongs.

The raffle for the specially signed limited HC print from Mort Künstler was drawn and the lucky winners were the Cantley's from Charlotte, NC.

Tour participants came from all over the country, but CVBT member Mark Rothert traveled the farthest coming from Portland Oregon. Needless to say this full day of events was a great success and has certainly raised the bar for future bus tours.

CVBT needs to thank Joe and Margaret Cress of Logan Creek Designs, Colonel Keith and Pat Gibson of VMI, Frank O'Reilly of the NPS, Mort Künstler, Grey Ghost Gallery of Fredericksburg, Craig Rains, Lisa Van Winkle, CVBT member Scott Eyestone, the staff at Amy's cafe and all the guests who spent their day with us.