“We Shall Have Graveyards at Every Door”
The Lower Shenandoah Valley’s Border Region during the Civil War
Saturday, November 6, 2021
THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE PLACED ON OUR WAITING LIST PLEASE EMAIL jnoyalas01@su.edu
While portions of the Shenandoah Valley such as Winchester experienced frequent occupations by Union and Confederate armies, communities to its south such as Stephens City and Middletown experienced the conflict differently. Situated in the lower Shenandoah Valley’s border region these communities oftentimes sat in a “no-man’s land.” This fall the McCormick Civil War Institute will explore military operations in this border region, operations of irregular troops in the swath of territory between Stephens City and Cedar Creek, and how civilians living in these communities—those who supported the Union, those who favored the Confederacy, and enslaved and free blacks—confronted and coped with the reality of living in a place in a constant state of flux.
“Lying as it does on the main road through the Valley, this town [Newtown/Stephens City] underwent many vicissitudes in the four years of war… during the fight of May 24, considering how thickly the shot and shell sometimes flew, it seems almost incredible that but two houses were struck by cannon balls.” (Newtown resident)
Schedule
- 10-10:30 a.m. Check-in at Shenandoah University, Winchester, Virginia
- 10:30-11:30 a.m. Welcome and lecture by Prof. Jonathan A. Noyalas “Like the Letting Out of Waters”: The Lower Shenandoah Valley on the Civil War’s Eve
- 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Lunch at Shenandoah University’s Allen Dining Hall (lunch included with registration)
- 12:30-4:30 p.m.: Caravan tour of sites including Stephens Run, Nieswangers, Locus Hill, Hull’s Store, Miller’s Mill, Kercheval House Site, St. Thomas Chapel, Jenkins’ cabin, and others.
Registration fee of $25 covers the cost of morning lecture, handouts, lunch, and afternoon guided caravan tour. Carpooling is required for the afternoon tour as mass transportation will not permit access to certain sites. Please use the registration link at the top of this page to register. Space is limited so register early!
Questions about registration can be directed to Prof. Noyalas at jnoyalas01@su.edu or phone 540-665-4501.
