Central Virginia Battlefields Trust

CVBT's latest preservation effort is 3 acres where United States Colored Troops had their first combat experience against Confederates north of the James River on May 15, 1864, To learn more and to make a donation, please visit: bit.ly/4nuW0FI #cvbt #USCT

Capt. Hiram S. Hall, May 4, 1863: "The men blackened by powder smoke, worked like demons, the guns belched forth a flood of fiery death, and the hill seemed to rock under the terrific thunder of the battery; great gaps were opened in the enemy’s lines by. . .shot and shell."

CVBT’s current campaign seeks to raise $100,000 to save the initial parcel of what was the historic Alrich Farm, the site of two battles; one on May 1, 1863, and the other on May 15, 1864. To donate to this preservation effort, please visit: bit.ly/4nuW0FI

Pvt. Martin Haines, 24th NJ, Fredericksburg: “Some of the shells would burst high in the air, others strike the soft earth, throwing up clouds of mud & perhaps portions of a mangled body. Then would the cries of the wounded be redoubled & the voices of the others silenced.”

It is, in part, because of our war dead that we, today, have opportunities that previous generations could only imagine. It is only proper on Memorial Day that we should take at least some time out of our busy lives to remember and honor those lost in our military conflicts.

On this day in 1863, the U.S. War Dept. issued Gen. Orders No. 143, which created the Bureau of United States Colored Troops (USCT). By the end of the war over 150 USCT regiments of infantry, cavalry, and light and heavy artillery served in Federal armies.

On this date in 1864, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, Gen. George Meade, and a number of other commanders and staff stopped briefly at Massaponax Baptist Church. Photographer Timothy O’Sullivan captured several famous images while with the army at this location.

Charles W. Reed, 9th MA. Lt. Arty, 5/19/1864: "Ewel (reb) assaulted our right with great vigor but were repulsed hansomly the first Mass heavy artilery behaving finely and receiving the congratulations of Gen. Meade for their brave conduct their first experience under fire"

Among the fallen on May 18, 1864, at Spotsylavnia was Capt. Henry Warren, 7th ME. Lt. Col. Thomas Hyde of the 7th wrote that "never a braver, better man than Henry Warren drew sword in our cause. He would not leave his Colors, but fell in the most exposed post of danger."

Sgt. Marion Hill Fitzpatrick, 45th GA, May 15, 1864: "We left Camps on the 4th [of May] and have been at it every day since and still see no end. Never has such fighting been known before. They have locked bayonets time and again and fought with the buts of their guns."

Unknown soldier, 1st SC Inf. in Charleston Daily Courier, about May 12, 1864: “The ground in front was carpeted with Yankee dead, and our trenches filled with our own dead—very few wounded. I was splashed over with brains and blood.... such fighting was never seen before."

Maj. Luther Bruen, 12th U.S. Inf. wrote home from Spotsylvania about his wound: “Now, Dear, don't fret about me—I am not much hurt and in good spirits, thinking I have got very cheaply compared with some others.” Bruen’s leg was later amputated, and he died on June 21, 1864.

Civilian Kate Couse, May 12, 1864. Spotsylvania: “Oh! God there is now the most murderous battle raging. The continuous roar of cannons the still more terrific musketry sounds awful indeed. My feelings are intensely awful beyond description. . . ."

163 years ago today: Gen. Edward Johnson, alarmed that artillery was ordered from his line requested that his commander, Gen. Richard Ewell, have it returned. Gen. Lee agreed to return it, but not all of it made in back in place by the Union attack early on May 12.

Today marks the anniversary of death of Sixth Corps commander, Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick at Spotsylvania. CVBT shares here a recent article by Dean Chester, one of our fantastic volunteers, about veterans' efforts to mark the spot where Gen. Sedgwick fell. bit.ly/4d7oKB8

Pvt. George Bucknam, 3rd MA Lt. Arty., May 8, 1864, Spotsylvania: "we limbered up...and in doing so two lead horses...got a bullet through them and killed them both in their tracks . . . we cut their traces and left the horses where they fell. . . .”

Celebrate May as National Preservation Month by joining CVBT as a preservation partner member. Doing so helps continue the fight to save more of central Virginia’s endangered battlefield land. To learn more about CVBT and to become a member, visit: cvbt.org

Pvt. James Pickens, 5th AL, The Wilderness, May 6, 1864: "Amputation is going on & there are several who have died of their wounds & been buried near the hospital. Oh the horrors of war! no one knows until he sees for himself how much suffering & distress there is in battle.”

CVBT President Tom VanWinkle will share with the African Americans in the Civil War Era Round Table about the CCVBT, battlefield preservation, and the recent 23rd USCT tract acquisition via a Zoom presentation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 7:15 p.m. ET. us02web.zoom.us/j/83186394888?…

Capt. Porter Farley, 140th NY, The Wilderness: “The instant the regiment showed itself and before it was fairly out into the clearing a line of smoke puffed from the edge of the woods opposite and a volley of musketry sent its bullets into our ranks. Its effect was serious.

Yesterday, CVBT hosted historian Sarah Kay Bierle, who shared her research and findings from her recently published book, "Decisions at Chancellorsville: The Sixteen Critical Decisions that Defined the Battle" with a number of our guests at the CVBT office & on the battlefield.