The American Civil War arrived early along the shores of the James and York Rivers. A mere two months after the Constitution of the Confederates States of America was adopted, tearing asunder this still young nation, cannon fire was overheard. Just off Sewell’s Point, where the James River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, two Union gunboats dueled with Confederate batteries in an attempt to enforce the Union blockade of Hampton Roads. Over the next four years this peninsula, this tiny strip of land, witnessed many of the war’s major battles, all within 50 miles of its epicenter – Williamsburg.
Union and Confederate Army re-enactors participate in the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Williamsburg during a special commemorative ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 5 on Market Square adjacent to the Courthouse of 1770 in Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area.
The commemoration honors the 4,000+ casualties of both armies in the battle with a special address by nationally renowned Civil War historian Prof. James I. Robertson Jr. titled “The Uncontrollable War.”
Robertson is the Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus in History at Virginia Tech. He is also executive director of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies, created by the university in 1999, and is a charter member of Virginia’s Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. He previously served as executive director of the U.S. Civil War Centennial Commission to mark the conflict’s 100th anniversary. Robertson is the author or editor of more than 20 books that include award-winning studies of the Civil War. His massive biography of Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson won eight national awards and was used as the basis for the Warner Bros. movie, “Gods and Generals,” for which Robertson was chief historical consultant.
The public is invited to the commemorative ceremony. No admission ticket is required. For more information, visit www.history.org or telephone toll-free 1-800-HISTORY
Civil War Williamsburg Brochure
This brochure contains valuable information (including maps) on local points of interest within America’s Historic Triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown & Yorktown during the Civil War. You can click here to download a copy
Other Civil War Events in Williamsburg VA
Wolf by the Ear, Thomas Jefferson and the Pursuit of Freedom
05/04/2012
7:30 PM
$24.95
Event Website
Founding Father Thomas Jefferson awaits news of whether Missouri will be admitted to the Union as a free state or a slave state. He reflects on the years since the American Revolution and the great debates over the institution of slavery. Appearing during the drama are Patrick Henry and Edmund Randolph, who debate ratification of the U.S. Constitution, the Haitian revolutionary Jean Jacque Dessalines and Henry Clay, the renowned orator and speaker of the House of Representatives. Live music from the early years of the American republic accent this program. 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4 at the Kimball Theatre. Tickets are $24.95. Call 800-HISTORY or visit the website for more info.
Williamsburg Civil War Tour
05/04/2012
Event Website
Williamsburg Civil War Tour tells stories about the important role Williamsburg played in the American Civil War. In addition to witnessing both the Northern and Southern Armies, it experienced a tragic battle on its doorstep. Join the tour and meet people who were here and learn more about Williamsburg’s role in this heart-rending period of American history. The one-hour walking tour is offered evenings at 7, 7:20, 7:40, 8:20, 8:40 and 9 on Fridays through June 15 at the Courthouse in the Historic Area. Cost for this program is $15 for adults and $7.50 for children under six.
The Civil War 150 Legacy Project is Visiting Williamsburg to Scan Historic Documents
05/05/2012
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Event Website
The Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission and the Library of Virginia have partnered to create a state-wide online collection of original Civil War manuscripts that still remain in private hands. The Civil War 150 Legacy Project: Document Digitation and access focuses on manuscript materials created during the period 1859-1867 that reflect social, political, military, business and religious life in Virginia during the period of the Civil War and the early period of Reconstruction. Citizens are encouraged to bring original family materials to be scanned and included in the Project. Scanned materials will be made available on the web via the Library of Virginia web site and the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission web site.
Understanding the Civil War in Williamsburg
05/05/2012 – 05/06/2012
Event Website
Guests meet with a historian and explore the events that lead up to the arrival of the armies in Williamsburg in 1862. 9:30 and 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 5 and 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 6 at the Courthouse steps. Admission is included in all Historic Area tickets. Call 800-HISTORY or visit the website for more info.
Tours of the Civil War Camps – Colonial Williamsburg
05/05/2012
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Historic Area Tickets
Event Website
Take a guided tour of the camps and learn about military life in 1862. The Confederate camp is located on Nassau Street in the Custis Pasture (across from the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum) and the Union camp is located near the Capitol. 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 5. Admission is included in all Historic Area tickets.
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