2015 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 fifth successful year. Attendance at the regular meetings continues to increase. The golf tournament continues to provide sufficient revenue for the organization’s projects.
Officers and directors. On October 15, 2015, an electronic vote was held to elect a new member to the board of directors who would serve as treasurer of the corporation. Boggs Wright was elected unanimously to begin his term of office immediately. CWSGI directors are Charles Brewer, Dan Hartwick, Dwight Mottet, Jack Phend, Pete Rainey, Craig Rains, Joe Rokus, and Boggs Wright.
Officers are Pete Rainey, chairman; Craig Rains, president; Dwight Mottet, vice-president; Joe Rokus, secretary; Boggs Wright, treasurer.
MONTHLY MEETINGS IN 2015
February 27. “Valentine’s Day and Other Wartime Memories” by Craig Rains. Included were several Civil War ballads performed by Dr. John Tole.
March 20. “The Story of Gordon’s Flank Attack as Told by Those Who Were There” was a presentation presented by Pete Rainey
April and May. See special events below
June 26. “All Four Years: Orange County in the Civil War” video presentation by Phil Audibert, videographer and writer from Gordonsville.
July 24. “Civil War Crossings” was a presentation by Jim Lillard of Madison, who discussed the challenges armies had in movements of troops and supplies across rivers and rutted Virginia roads.
August 28. Sharon Grubbs, fourth grade history teacher at Locust Grove Middle School, gave a report on her participation in the Civil War Trust’s National Teacher Institute, held in and around Washington, D.C.
September 25. “Finding the Culpeper Mine Road” was a presentation prepared by Pete Rainey and presented by Joe Rokus. This was the first monthly meeting to be held in the evening.
October 23. “The Inside Track on Tracks Through Time” was the theme of a presentation by Bob Johnson, with assistance by Frank Walker, on a new brochure about the history of railroads in Orange County.
SPECIAL EVENTS IN 2015
Wilderness Battle Commemorative Dinner. A sold-out dinner was held at the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse on April 24. Charles Brewer was the director in charge. Guest speaker was David Goetz of Warrenton, who related events from his book “Hell is Being a Republican in Virginia: the Post-War Relationship Between John Singleton Mosby and Ulysses S. Grant.”
Wilderness Battle Commemorative Education Program. On May 2, 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. Director Joe Rokus coordinated the poster judging and awards event on behalf of CWSGI. The CWSGI 2015 Scholarship Award went to Sharon Grubbs of the Locust Grove Middle School to attend the Civil War Trust National Teacher Institute.
Memorial Monument. On May 5, the 151st anniversary of the Battle of the Wilderness, a remembrance ceremony was held at the CWSGI monument to those who remain on the battleground. Craig Rains was the speaker. Joe Rokus unveiled the memorial wreath. A prayer of remembrance was given by Pastor Adam Colson of Lake of the Woods Church. Dr. John Tole, president of the Rappahannock Historical Society, provided music and Roy Perry of Fredericksburg’s Matthew Fountaine Maury Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans sounded Taps. CWSGI created a permanent memorial wreath to be used at future ceremonies.
Battle of the Wilderness Memorial Golf Tournament. This was the fifth year for this major fund-raiser for CWSGI. It was held at Lake of the Woods Golf Course on May 22. Jack Phend served as tournament director. Forty golfers and 18 sponsors helped raise about $3,200 for CWSGI projects. LOWVets was invited to set up a raffle during golfers’ check-in and raised $800 for its Wounded Warriors project.
Clubhouse Artifacts Display. Director Dan Hardwick assumed responsibility for the display cabinet and its artifacts. He refreshed the look and rearranged some of the items. It remains the largest assortment of Civil War artifacts on public displays between Fredericksburg and Culpeper.
Historic Cemeteries Markers. Granite markers with bronze plaques are ready for installation at the Spotswood and Apperson cemeteries inside Lake of the Woods. Funding was by CWSGI, with assistance by the Wilderness ‘tiques Chapter of The Questers and descendants of the Apperson family. (Note: if installation is completed by December 31, it will be noted here.)
Orange County Resolution of Appreciation. The Orange County Board of Supervisors presented a Resolution of Appreciate to CWSG for serving on the county’s Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee for the past four years. The committee was also recognized for its work by the Commonwealth’s Sesquicentennial Committee in a ceremony at the capitol.
Respectfully submitted,
Rains, President
Civil War Study Group, Inc.
December 11, 2015