11th Annual Tour of McCormick Civil War Institute

Shenandoah University’s McCormick Civil War Institute Announces Its Eleventh Annual Fall Tour

Oct. 27 & 28 “First Manassas” – Shenandoah University’s History and Tourism Center (HTC) will open doors that are usually locked and take visitors to places they wouldn’t ordinarily be allowed to go on Oct. 27 and 28, 2006, for the McCormick Civil War Institute fall tour.

This tour focuses on the Civil War’s first grand battle – the Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) which recently celebrated its 145th re-enactment at Cedar Creek. Tour highlights include a track-side tour at Piedmont Station (Delaplane), Sudley Springs Ford, Sudley Springs Church, the Stone Bridge, Farm Ford, Mathews Hill and Henry House Hill, and is led by respected historians Jonathan A. Noyalas, Dr. Brandon H. Beck and Stephen Lee Ritchie.

Bill Austin, HTC Executive Director, says this battle chosen as the focus of the McCormick Institute’s fall tour is significant because it was the biggest fought on American soil at that time.

“The invading Union army launched its first “On to Richmond” campaign determined to cross Bull Run Creek, defeat the Confederate force guarding the crossing sites, and seize control of Manassas Junction, where the Orange and Alexandria and Manassas Gap railroads met,” Austin explained.

Another reason this battle is so important is because it launched the career of local hero, Stonewall Jackson, whose headquarters was in Winchester and is now open to the public.

“Two Confederate generals lost their lives, but a new Confederate general emerged alongside Beauregard – General Thomas J. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson,” Austin said.

The fee for admission includes lectures, transportation and lunch; there is an additional fee to participate in the banquet on Friday 27th at 7 p.m. Shenandoah University students receive a 50 percent discount. For more information about the tour or to register, visit www.theknowledgepoint.org or call the HTC at (540) 535-3543.

Shenandoah University’s History and Tourism Center – The Knowledge Point serves as a primary resource and authority for history and historical research, heritage studies and tourism-product development, where the community and tourism industry come together to gain knowledge about the Northern Shenandoah Valley region.