Some Odds and Ends

I just wanted to let readers know that I will be going off line for the next couple of weeks. Even a blogger needs a vacation once in a while!  Before I take off, a few odds and ends:

*The other day I wrote about the new marker commemorating the 1861 Battle of Lewinsville.  I am pleased to announce that the marker has joined thousands of others on the Historical Marker Database.  The entry can be found here.  And don’t forget about this Sunday’s dedication ceremony at Lewinsville Park.

*A reader and local Lincoln expert, John O’Brien, just made me aware of a rather unique living history event at Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church in Arlington County, Virginia on Sunday, July 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The Union Army used the church as a hospital following the First Battle of Manassas. This event will focus on topics like religion, loss and suffering, and wartime medicine.  Living history representations include Private William Scott, the "Sleeping Sentinel of Chain Bridge," whose death sentence was commuted by President Lincoln on the day of Scott's planned execution.  This isn’t your grandfather’s reenactment!  More information can be found here.

*The owner of the Langley Ordinary has made more progress on renovating the old house and tavern.  Readers may recall that the Ordinary served as headquarters for Pennsylvania Reserves commander George A. McCall during the first winter of the war.  A massive tree fell on the house back in February 2011. Aside from the roof damage, the interior was also in need of a major overhaul.  Photos of the renovation can be found here on the website of the architectural firm undertaking the project. Unfortunately they didn't post pics of the Civil War graffiti left by Union soldiers.

*I can't promise I won't "cheat on the Civil War" during my vacation, as I have a date with a Revolutionary War site or two.  However, never fear.  I also have plans to explore some Civil War and antebellum angles.  More on that in a future post or two.

*Last but not least, have a wonderful Fourth of July! 

Civil War Vet on Fourth of July by Normal Rockwell, The Country Gentleman, July 2, 1921 (courtesy of  The Saturday Evening Post)