Buchanan Civil War History

WeekendApril 28, 29 & 30

Friday, April 28, 2017 Get a sneak peek behind the scenes as reenactors trickle in to set up camp in preparation of the weekend’s activities.

 10:00 am – 5:00 PM – Explore Living History Displays set up on the Buchanan Town Park located at 485 Lowe Street.Reenactors will be arriving all day. Sneak a peek behind the scenes as reenactors set up camp along the banks of the James River. Explore living History Camps with displays of period tents and shelter methods plus other presentations by the Botetourt Artillery.

12 PM & 6 PM – Artillery Demonstration on the Buchanan Town Park located at 485 Lowe Street

8:00 PM– Main Street Skirmish– Word spreads throughout the Town of General Hunter’s fiery raid on the city of Lexington and the burning of VMI. Scouts arrive in town crossing the James River to be held back by General McCausland’s troops. Witness the chaos as cavalry arrive on Main   Street where fighting breaks out near the Buchanan Theatre in the heart of the business community.

Saturday, April 29, 2017

8:00am – 10:00 am - “Breakfast at the Historic Wilson Warehouse/ Community House” Reenactors and the Public are invited to enjoy a hearty breakfast served in the same building used for shipping and receiving of goods during the Civil War, located at 421 Lowe Street. Breakfast is served from 8:00am through 10:00am. All proceeds going towards ongoing maintenance of this historic Civil War Era structure.

  8:00 am – 5pm Camps Open – Enjoy a full day of family activities. Civil War Era Camps will open in the morning and remain open throughout the day.

Special displays and reenactments highlight the life and times of the Civil War Era. Enjoy Guest Speakers, period music & costumed reenactors.

Watch the chaos reenacted on Main Street throughout the day as word of eminent arrival of Hunters troops, explore Sutler’s Row on the Town Park where vendors set up to sell period wares and the Community Market on Main Street.

10:00 am Opening Ceremony – As church bells ring, Reenactors and guests will be welcomed to Buchanan’s Civil War History Weekend. The Ceremony will be held at the Buchanan Bicentennial Gazebo on the Town Park on Lowe Street.

10:45 am Off to War

10:00 am – 2:00 pm Botetourt County & the War Between the States – Commemorating the 150 th

Anniversary of the Civil War - Meet Ed McCoy author of ‘Botetourt County & The War Between The States’ during an Open House in the historic Wilson Warehouse between 10 am and 2 pm. Ed will be available to discuss the book, sign copies and will do a brief program at 11:00 am and 12:00 noon.

11:00 am “Victorian Fashion Show at UDC Pavilion” – During the Civil War, women were expected to continue dressing in the same fashion as before the war despite having limited to no income. Learn how to stretch your dollars and have a period correct outfit for your activities.  Held in the UDC Pavilion on the Town Park with guest speaker Debbie Sifford.

11:00 am “Main Street Skirmish”   – Word spreads throughout the Town of General Hunter’s fiery raid on the city of Lexington and the burning of VMI. General McCausland and his troops fight to prevent Hunter’s troops from advancing by filling the covered bridge with straw and lamp oil, setting the bridge on fire delaying the troops. Others escape to blast the hillside leading to Liberty further delaying Hunter’s Troops. Witness the chaos as citizens struggle to save their homes and stores.

11:30 am – Food Robbery on Main Street

12:00 pm Explosive Situation on Main Street

12:30pm Billy Yank and Johnny Reb on Main Street

1:00 pm Coffin Skit on Main Street

1:30 am “Main Street Chaos”   – Word spreads throughout the Town of General Hunter’s fiery raid on the city of Lexington and the burning of VMI. General McCausland and his troops fight to prevent Hunter’s troops from advancing by filling the covered bridge with straw and lamp oil, setting the bridge on fire delaying the troops. Others escape to blast the hillside leading to Liberty further delaying Hunter’s Troops. Witness the chaos as citizens struggle to save their homes and stores.

4:00pm Field of Lost Shoes in Buchanan Theatre in the Buchanan Theatre on Main Street. A 2014 American Civil War drama written by Dave Kennedy and Thomas Farrell. The film is based on the true story of a group of cadets at VMI who participated in the Battle of New Market against U.S. forces during the American Civil War. The battle was fought in the Shenandoah Valley on May 15, 1864. The film's title refers to the large number of soldiers' boots left on the battlefield due to the muddy conditions during the battle. Free Admission.   

3:00 p.m. Battle of Buchanan– See the flash, smell the smoke and witness Confederate General McCausland and his troops fighting to delay Union General Hunter’s fiery Raid. As troops ford the river McCausland troops hold their ground as the Buchanan Turnpike Bridge burns destroying thirty homes and businesses, troops blast the mountainside blocking passage along the ridge road leading from Buchanan to Liberty. Admission by donation.

8:00pm Camp Dance   – Enjoy taking part in, or, just watching as musicians play period music and everyone gathers for a dance in the Picnic Pavilion on the Town Park.

Enjoy the performance of Civil War era tunes performed by local musicians the Olin Bare Band. Light refreshments will be available. Come in period costume, or, just as you are. There will be a mix of called dances and uncalled dances.Free Admission, everyone invited to participate, or, just enjoy watching activities or talk.

9:00pm Camp Bon Fire on Town Park

Youth Historical Scavenger HuntYouth aged up to 15 are invited to participate in an Historical Scavenger Hunt. Solve puzzles and look for clues as you visit and explore Buchanan and learn about life as a soldier during the Civil War. You will find directions and maps along Main Street during the weekend

or else can download the map and questions at www.townofbuchanan.com. Sunday, April 30, 2017

8:00am – 10:00am“Breakfast at the Historic Wilson Warehouse/Community House” – Reenactors and the Public are invited to enjoy a hearty breakfast served in the same building that was used for shipping and receiving of goods during the Civil War, join us at 421 Lowe Street.Breakfast is being served from 8:00am through 10:00am. General admission is $5 with all proceeds going towards ongoing maintenance of this historic Civil War Era structure.

9:00 am Camp Church Services– Public Invited!Experience a period church service where a Chaplain portrays a 19th century, back county circuit rider. Service will be held at the UDC Pavilion on the Town Park. Experience a glimpse of the role of religion in the Civil War while witnessing a firsthand reenactment of troop services.

1:30 pm Battle Of Buchanan– See the flash, smell the smoke and feel cannons roar as reenact the June 13, 1864 Battle of Buchanan. Union troops gathered on the North bank of the James River in Pattonsburg while Confederate troops delayed Hunter’s arrival with the firing of the Covered Bridge and battle response from Oak Hill. Battle

to take place on the Buchanan Town Park. Admission by donation.