2014 ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE CIVIL WAR STUDY GROUP, INC.
LOCUST GROVE, VIRGINIA
The Civil War Study Group, Inc., and its informal public organization, Civil War Study Group at Lake of the Woods, completed its fourth year with great success in a widening variety of historical projects and touching a record number of people interested in the Civil War fought in and around Lake of the Woods, Orange County, Virginia.
Officers and Directors. In May, Director Joe Nordsieck submitted his resignation from the board. At its midyear meeting on July 18, the board of directors voted to add Charles Brewer as a member. The board thus was made up of Charles Brewer, Dwight Mottet, Pete Rainey, Craig Rains, Joe Rokus, and Bill Wilson. Mr. Wilson submitted his
resignation in November.
At the November annual meeting of the board, all members were present and unanimously extended their appreciation to Mr. Nordsieck and Mr. Wilson for outstanding contributions to the mission of the CWSGI. The board then elected Jack Phend to serve as a director,
During 2014, CWSGI officers were Pete Rainey, chairman and treasurer; Craig Rains, president; Dwight Mottet, vice president; and Joe Rokus, secretary.
MONTHLY MEETINGS IN 2014
February. Dr. John Tole, presidnet of the Rappahannock Historical Society, spoke on “Character and the Fiery Trial: Enigma, Reward.”
March. CWSGI Director Joe Rokus presented a program on the Battle of BrandyStation.
April. An overflow crowd heard NPS historian Steward Hendersonʼs presentation, “Fighting for Their Freedom: U.S. Colored Troops.”
May. See special events, below.
June. National Park Service historian Beth Parnicza brought along little-seen artifacts from the Chancellorsville Visitor Center for her presentation, “Artifacts and Individuals of the Battle of the Wilderness.”
July. CWSGI Chairman Pete Rainey presented “What is the most important and least commemorated event to occur in Orange County?”
August. Locust Grove Middle School instructor Sharon Grubbs gave the organization a report on her participation in the Civil War Trustʼs National Teacher Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, that she attended under a CWSGI scholarship.
September. Mike Block, president, and Diane Logan, vice president of the Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield, presented a program on the significance of that 1863 battle.
October. Chris Stephens, president of Historic Gordonsville, Inc., presented a program on the Exchange Hotel Civil War Medical Museum in Gordonsville.
November. Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park Chief Historian John Hennessey and historian Beth Parnicza provided a behind-the-scenes tour of the revised and expanded exhibition just opened at the Chancellorsville Visitor Center.
SPECIAL EVENTS IN 2014
Wilderness Battle Commemorative Education Program. For the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Wilderness. CWSGI hosted an educational program competition that encouraged the creation of historical posters by Locust Grove Elementary School and Lightfoot Elementary School fourth-grade students. They and their families were feted at an exhibition of the posters and announcement of the winners on May 3 at Lake of the Woods Clubhouse. The CWSG 2014 Scholarship Award went to Sharon Grubbs of the Locust Grove Middle School to attend the Civil War Trust National Teacher Institute.
Wilderness Battle Commemorative Dinner. A dinner on May 3, featuring two experts from the Emerging Civil War Authors group, was held at the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse, with 144 in attendance. The two speakers were Chris Mackowski and Phill Greenwalt. John Tole wrote and performed a song specifically written for the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Wilderness. Special guests included Russ Smith, former superintendent of the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Battlefield, and Lucy Lawliss, recently appointed superintendent.
Memorial Monument. On May 5, the 150th anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the Wilderness, CWSGI unveiled its memorial dedicated to those soldiers who were killed in the battle and who still lie unknown on the battlefield. The landscaped granite memorial is located adjacent to the National Park Service battlefield across which the famed Gordonʼs flank attack took place. It was donated to Lake of the Wood Church for perpetual safekeeping.
Gordon Flank Attack Real-time Walking Tour. At dusk on May 6, the National Park Service led 200 visitors on a walking tour retracing part of the Confederate flank attack led by General John B. Gordon. The NPS asked CWSGI to provide assistance in gaining entrance into LOW, handling the crowds, and parking. The LOWA general manager and security officers provided major assistance in this successful event.
Battle of the Wilderness Memorial Golf Tournament. The fourth annual memorial tournament was again led by Bill Wilson and took place at Lake of the Woods Golf Course on May 23. The tournament fielded 40 players and had 18 sponsors, helping raise about $3,700.00 for CWSGI projects.
Wilderness ʻTiques Antiques Appraisal Show. On October 25, the Wilderness ʻTiques Chapter of Questers International sponsored an antiques appraisal show at the LOW Clubhouse. The chapter donated the showʼs $1,100.00 proceeds to CWSGI to be put towards the marking of three historical cemeteries inside Lake of the Woods.
Clubhouse Artifacts Display. CWSGI continued to add objects to its display of Civil War artifacts and relics at the LOW clubhouse. It is the largest public display of war artifacts specifically related to the Battle of the Wilderness in eastern Orange County.
Respectfully submitted,
Craig Rains
President
Civil War Study Group, Inc.
December 15, 2014