May 6, 1864 was a day of changing fortunes as the Union fought the Confederates along Orange Plank Rd. It began with a 5 AM attack by the Union II Corps, reinforced by divisions from V and VI Corps, under command of General Hancock. The attack drove General A.P. Hill’s III Corps from its positions. They fled west towards Parker’s Store. The 7 AM arrival of General Longstreet’s I Corps stemmed the rout. Longstreet’s counter attack at Tapp Field drove the Federals back toward their starting positions to the east. By 10 AM the two armies were at a standstill facing each other astride Orange Plank in the vicinity of the monument to Union General James Wadsworth.
Exhibit 15: Unfinished Railroad Cut
General Lee sent his Chief Engineer, General Smith, to see if there was a way to break the stalemate. Smith and his party walked east along the unfinished railroad, which lay south of the Union’s flank. Both armies were aware of the unfinished railroad about ¼ mile south of and parallel to Orange Plank. In the chaos of battle, neither army had thought about using it as an attack route, or about defending it against such an attack, until Smith’s reconnaissance. Smith found the railroad grade undefended. He returned and reported his findings to Longstreet.
Longstreet sent four brigades to attack
the Union flank under the command of his aide Lt. Col. Sorrel. Sorrel arranged the men along the railroad
grade and, when all men were in position, began the attack shortly after 11
AM. It burst upon the Union flank in
total surprise. In addition, as soon as
the fighting started on the flank, Longstreet’s remaining troops attacked the
Union’s front.
McAlister’s brigade on the Union flank
was first to feel the Confederate onslaught.
It was quickly routed. Soon all eight
Union brigades south of Orange plank had collapsed like dominos. Union General Wadsworth, in command of Union
forces north of Orange Plank, heroically attempted to organize a defense on the
north side of the road. It was to no
avail leaving him mortally wounded. By
12:30 PM, all Union positions had been overrun with the defenders withdrawing
east to Brock Road or north to the Lacy House (Ellwood Manor).
The Confederate’s success quickly
turned to failure. While riding to the
front to direct a continued advance, General Longstreet was accidentally shot
by soldiers of the 12th Virginia of Mahone’s Brigade. While he
survived, it wasn’t until four hours later that the Confederates were able to
reorganize and resume the attack. By
then the Union had strengthened its defenses along Brock Road. The renewed attack failed. In addition to the short term loss, it would
be months before Longstreet recovered sufficiently to resume command.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Along Route 20 about a half mile before it intersects with Route 3 (where the Sheetz gas station is located) is a marker erected by the Virginia Department of Historical Resources describing an event in the Campaign of 1781 called Lafayette’s Maneuvers. While many of us are familiar with the area’s role in the Civil War, the marker is a small reminder of events that affected the area in Revolutionary times.
Exhibit 8 Marker OC 22
The Marquis de Lafayette, not quite 20 years old, had come to the Colonies in 1777 to help us during the American Revolutionary War. He was commissioned a Major General by Congress, and soon met General Washington, with whom he had a lifetime friendship. He went back and forth to France several times over the next few years, and even returned one time with 6000 troops. He returned in the spring of 1781 and was asked to join General Anthony Wayne, to stop British General Cornwallis’ army.
Exhibit 9: Lafayette
Over the next few months, the colonists and Cornwallis played
a game of “cat and mouse” in the region from Richmond to Charlottesville to
Williamsburg. On June 4, 1781, Lafayette and his troops crossed the Rapidan
River after drawing Cornwallis away from the coast. They made camp in a field just east of the
river on Ellwood Plantation that belonged to William Jones. At this time, Ellwood Manor had not yet been
built, so William and his wife, Betty, were living in a small settlement
house. Field hands alerted Mr. Jones
that soldiers were in the field so Mr. Jones had a meal prepared for Lafayette
and his officers and sent food down to the fields for the troops. The chase
continued the next day, and finally ended October 19, 1781, when Cornwallis and
his men surrendered at Yorktown, VA.
Lafayette soon returned to France, but retained the desire
to return. Forty-one years later,
President Monroe invited Lafayette to visit the U.S. on the eve of the
country’s 50th anniversary. Lafayette
arrived August 15, 1824, along with his son and his secretary. On October 19, 1724, he was at Yorktown for
the anniversary of Cornwallis’ surrender.
In November, he spent time at Monticello with his friend, Thomas
Jefferson, whom he found very frail.
While there James Madison, from nearby Montpelier, dropped in
unexpectedly. The entourage then began a
journey to Fredericksburg for a reception, stopping at Wilderness Tavern, which
was owned by William Jones. Mr. Jones
may have even provided a nice “coach and four” and accompanied the entourage to
Fredericksburg. The trip of 15 miles
took almost 2 hours.
They wintered in D.C. with the expectation of returning to
France in early spring 1825 but Lafayette wanted to visit his friend Jefferson
once more, so they journeyed again to Virginia.
On August 15, 1825, he stopped at Ellwood Manor, now completed and
William Jones fed the group a plantation breakfast. On August 16, he stopped at Montpelier to
visit Madison again, and they visited Jefferson August 18 to 21. He returned to D.C. for his birthday,
September 6, celebrated at the White House with President John Q Adams. He returned to France the next day, taking
with him soil from Bunker Hill, which was buried with him upon his death in
1834. His visit, which was supposed to last 4 months with visits to 13 states, stretched
into 13 months with visits to all 24 states.
So, yes, Lafayette “dined” at Ellwood Plantation – twice.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Next month marks the 154th
anniversary of one of the largest and most significant battles in America’s
Civil War, the Battle of the Wilderness.
Conducted around, and sometimes on, our community’s grounds during the
first week of May 1864, the battle is often considered the beginning of the end
of the Confederacy. This year, during
the weekend of May 5 and 6, the National Park Service (NPS), in conjunction
with local living history re-enactor organizations and the Friends of the
Wilderness Battlefield, will offer to the public, free of charge, a full range
of events and demonstrations commemorating this momentous battle.
This event will be held on the grounds of Ellwood Manor,
a restored plantation home located on Route 20, approximately a half mile from
intersection of Route 20 and Route 3.
Participating in the weekend’s activities will be Confederate and Union
infantry and cavalry re-enactors as well as individuals depicting key battle
commanders such as Generals Ulysses Grant, George Meade, and Gouverneur
Warren. Each participating organization
will set up a campsite near Ellwood that will allow you to view several
demonstrations of camp life, including stepping into the life of a soldier or
learning about the medical realities of war in the mid-19th century.
Anyone who wants to learn more about this hallowed land
where we live should not miss this event.
The activities will be held on the grounds of Ellwood each day on May 5
and 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; some will be ongoing and others scheduled at
specific times, usually on the hour.
There will be multiple infantry and cavalry battle
demonstrations between the Confederate and Union re-enactors each day. At 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. both days, the NPS will
conduct live fire artillery demonstrations.
At 4 p.m. on Saturday, all of the infantry, cavalry, and artillery units
will conduct a combined battle demonstration.
You don’t want to miss these!
Just prior to the midday firing demonstrations each day, you will be
able to witness a major confrontation among Generals Grant, Meade, and Warren
just as it may have occurred on May 5, 1863.
There will be opportunities to talk to each of the participants and
plenty of photo ops in front of the manor house as well as with all re-enactors
and horses.
Regardless of what you know about the Wilderness Battle
or the Civil War writ large, you will leave Ellwood with a better understanding
of and new perspectives about the events that occurred on this hallowed ground
and how they affected the final outcome of the war less than a year later.
For more information about this Living History event, you
can visit the local NPS website (www.nps.gov.frsp) or the Friends of the Wilderness
Battlefield website (www.fowb.org).
They will provide you with additional details about the events and
participants, as well as the timeline for specific activities and
demonstrations. Mark your calendars –
this weekend is a must see!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
In April, 1875, the New York Sun reported that Anthony
Smith, commonly known as Anthony Jones, died in New York at the age of 70.
Smith was a former slave who had run-away from the Wilderness of Virginia.
During his life in New York Smith had accumulated a considerable estate but had
neglected to write a will. Lacking a legal heir, the New York Court System took
control of his affairs.
On his death-bed interview, Smith
told the story of his life. Once the property of William Jones, owner of the
Ellwood Manor estate in the Wilderness of Spotsylvania, His master William
Jones had become a widower in the 1820s and several years later William
remarried Lucinda Gordon who brought with her to Ellwood Mansion a personal
slave, Patsey.
Anthony eventually wooed Patsey
and with the consent of their owners they took up housekeeping on the Ellwood
Manor grounds. Four children were born to the couple, but only one, the fourth,
survived. About the time of William’s death in 1845, Anthony ran-away from his
then pregnant wife and the Ellwood estate. He was captured, returned to
Fredericksburg and sold to a new owner. After a trip to the South with his new
master, Anthony again escaped and made his way to New York City, where he lived
out his remaining years. Following the Emancipation, Anthony attempted to
restore contact with his family back in the Wilderness, but with limited
success. Patsey did retain one of his letters and later cited it as proof of
their marital relationship.
The story as related above was
published in the New York papers sometime after Anthony’s death. It was soon
picked up and published by Richmond, Virginia papers. As a result, two sets of
claimants to Anthony’s fortune came forth to the New York Court. One, the
remaining sister and brother of Anthony declared extreme poverty. They were
represented by J. Horace Lacy, their former owner through his marriage to Betty
Churchill Jones, William Jones’ second daughter and heir to Ellwood.
The second claimants were Patsey,
his first wife, along with the sole living child who was born after Anthony’s
first escape. They were represented by lawyers Alexander & Green of
Fredericksburg. When interviewed by the New York court, Patsey explained that
she had waited a number of years following Anthony’s departure before taking in
a new partner. Though partnered, she claimed to have been the wife of Anthony
(citing the letter she retained) and therefore a legal heir to his estate.
The New York Court wrestled with
the judgment for nearly a year. They recognized that New York and Virginia laws
on marriage differed considerably in the pre-war era. Numerous testaments and
affidavits were heard or submitted. Many of the claimants appeared before the
referee at least one time. In the end, based on Patsey’s proof of their pre-war
marital relationship, the court sided with Patsey. She received the estate,
then valued at $20,000, cash and property.
Continue to Chapter 6: Relive the Battle of the Wilderness
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
The LOWA Pools Committee is hosting the Adult Wine & Cheese Pool Social on Saturday, July 13th from 7PM – 9PM.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit the newly constructed pool, this is a great time – kids free! Entry fee will be $10 per person and will include 2 glasses of wine and food. ($5 for each additional glass of wine, if you wish). You pay at the door and it will be cash only.
Be sure to RSVP with Vassa Olson at: vassaathelake@gmail.com and include your preference of red, white, or rose wine. You must register by July 10th. Should the weather not participate, the rain date will be: July 27th.
Lifeguards will be on duty! This event is sponsored by FLOW (Friends of Lake of the Woods).
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
After the Lake of the Woods Fourth of July Independence Day Celebration, visit the Clubhouse for Dinner! The restaurant and deck will open at 5PM and the buffet will be $29.95 per person from 6:30PM to 8:30PM. The buffet will only be available to those on the deck and the regular menu will ONLY be available INSIDE for regular dining. Be sure to call 540-972-2221 to reserve your spot! The menu is pictured below but include: BBQ Chicken, BBQ Ribs, Hot dogs, corn on the cob and so much more delicious cook-out food!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Have you always dreamed of lake living? Dream no more, the perfect property is now available for you to make it your reality. This home sits on a quiet side street, with inviting curb appeal and sought after fine features, both inside and outside. Boasting an upgraded kitchen just off of the family room, this house is sure to be a perfect fit for family dinners and entertaining friends. Spend your evenings relaxing on the screened porch, the sun room or extensive patio while watching the birds.
Feel like venturing out for the day? You will be pleased with all the community has to offer. A private, gated, secured community, Lake of the Woods offers anything and everything you could possibly want. Home to two lakes (the 550 acre main lake and a 35 acre “fishing lake”), a golf course, an equestrian center, a fire and rescue department, and a church all within the gates, Lake of the Woods simply has it all. Whether your passion is boating, waterskiing, kayaking, golfing, horseback riding, or simply taking in the breathtaking views from the clubhouse while enjoying a fabulous meal, from your own deck or yard, or from one of the beaches, you won’t be disappointed! Perhaps you’d like a game of bridge or volunteering your time and talents…Lake of the Woods offers more than 60 clubs and/or organizations from which you may choose to become involved. Located in Orange County, we are fortunate to enjoy low real estate taxes. Coupled with home prices ranging from $100,000 to over $2,000,000, Lake of the Woods is the perfect community for both full-time residents, as well as weekenders. But don’t take my word for it, please come see for yourself! I will gladly give you a tour of Lake of the Woods by boat and by car so that you may experience why I love Lake of the Woods!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
One of the main reasons to move to Virginia is the great quality of life.
If you’re thinking about moving from New York City and buying a property in Virginia, you’re not the only one. A lot of New Yorkers are starting to look for a property in Virginia, and there are a lot of reasons why. One of them is an excellent offer of available jobs. Another is the high numbers of educated people in Virginia. People come to Orange County similar places to start a career and enjoy all that Virginia has to offer. Quiet and crowd-free beaches are a perfect spot to spend your Sunday afternoon at. Similarly, if you’re moving there with kids, you can be sure that there would be a lot of activities to do, like going to amusement parks or museums.
If you want to find a good job, move to Northern Virginia.
Since Northern Virginia is close to Washington D.C., you might want to consider buying a property there. This location is great when it comes to job opportunities and building your career. That’s because a lot of companies are moving into Northern Virginia, meaning that there will be and already are plenty of hiring opportunities for job seekers. If you’re trying to find a job in the government or technology, you’ll see that there are a lot of government agencies and IT companies there. Similarly, if you’re looking to open your own company and need suitable office space, there sure are plenty to find in Northern Virginia. Plus, you’ll be close to the nation’s capital, Washington D.C.
Some other things that Northern Virginia has to offer to New Yorkers are gorgeous mountain views, nature preserves, and spots for camping. New York, on the other hand, is a busy place with plenty of stuff going on nonstop. Virginia, however, is the perfect getaway from all the hustle and bustle of a big city. You’ll have the best of both worlds: amazing career options and much more peaceful surroundings.
If you’re ready to relocate and start a career in Virginia, you’ll need to find a home. Try searching for open houses and see if any meets your standards.
Choose peaceful West Virginia when buying a property.
West Virginia has a lot to offer to those who enjoy the outdoors and a peaceful, natural surrounding.
West Virginia has a lot to offer to those who enjoy the outdoors and a peaceful, natural surrounding Alt tag: Cheat Lake, West Virginia, one of the things worth buying a property in Virginia for
Moreover, if your main reason for moving out of New York City is to find a quieter place, the Appalachian Mountains or the coast are great locations. You can find impressive properties in small towns close to these areas and enjoy your daily peace and quiet.
If you’re a true New Yorker, getting used to the calming natural surroundings and activities that can be done there can take some time. However, this need not be the case. You may discover that you actually quite enjoy nature and the mountainous regions. So, expect to make some lifestyle changes and don’t be afraid to try something new. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some planting and agriculture or go hiking in the mountains. Finally, get ready for some breathtaking natural views, especially in fall. You’ll feel like you’re in a fairy tale just by being surrounded by beautiful nature.
All in all, buying a property in West Virginia is a great idea if you want to save up a bit since it is quite the contrary to the expensive lifestyle back in New York City. So, you’ll just need to find a good real estate agent to help you buy a house in Virginia that best suits your needs.
Virginia is diverse, just like New York City.
Virginia is home to a diverse population that makes this state a beautiful place to live in.
One thing that won’t require plenty of adjusting is diversity in Virginia. Just like in New York City, Virginia is home to a richly diverse population that keeps on growing. There are a lot of Asian Americans as well as Hispanic Americans that live in Virginia. Moreover, many are still relocating there in large numbers. Virginia has become the place of choice for many immigrant families because of cheaper lifestyle and many job offers. That is why you won’t need to worry about buying a property there. Moreover you don’t need to worry about fitting in with the rest of the population. Virginia continues to be a welcoming place for people with all kinds of backgrounds and culture. Find a reliable moving company with experienced workers like the ones from divinemoving.com. With such professionals, moving to a new property in Virginia will actually be an enjoyable process.
Great Education and Healthcare are worth buying a property for.
You can count on great healthcare in Virginia.
Northern Virginia is a place with many prestigious and award-winning hospitals. Similarly, a lot of Virginia’s healthcare institutions are nationally ranked thanks to their exceptional care. So, this alone should be the reason to consider buying a property in Virginia.
Virginia also has the following organizations:
Virginia Health Foundation
The Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics
Moreover, the education system in Virginia is also impressive. Students have amazing results in almost every subject and public schools have high ranks. There are almost 170 universities and colleges which is why there are so many highly educated people. If you are a student or have children, you can be sure that moving to Virginia is a great idea.
If you have bought a home in Virginia you’ll also need a good moving company. They will pack your belongings in cheap but secure boxes. In that way you won’t need to experience any stress during relocation.
Low crime rates and great quality of life
Due to the low crime rates and therefore, a great quality of life, you should certainly consider moving to Virginia. The feeling of being safe in your own home is an important factor to consider when buying a property. Part of the reason for Virginia’s good quality of life is the median income that is significantly higher than the nation’s average. This is due to the fact that there is a large number of people with high education.
In addition, Virginia has a lot of employment opportunities. That is why New Yorkers decide on relocating here and buying a property.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Please join the Civic Club on Wednesday, July 10, at 5:30 PM, as we host a reception for the LOWA Board of Directors candidates in the Great Hall of the Clubhouse. We encourage you to mingle with the candidates from 5:30 to 6 PM, with a forum beginning at 6PM. Each candidate will be allotted five minutes to deliver his/her message to the audience. A cash bar will be available, and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.
The Lake of the Woods Board candidates are Pete Brown, Paul Conrad, Benita Forrest, Adrien (Terry) Terrenoire. and Jennifer Zukowski. The candidates will be vying for three Board of Directors vacancies on the seven-member Board. LOWA will mail ballots to lot owners near the end of July, and the balloting will conclude September 2nd at the Association’s Annual Meeting. Electronic voting will also be available. So if you would like to sign up to vote electronically, stop by the Holcomb Building to register.
The reception for the candidates is open to all members of the community. Please plan to attend so you may become better acquainted with the slate of candidates. We look forward to seeing you there.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
Are you ready to escape the hustle and bustle for some peaceful, country living yet still be conveniently close to the things you need? Look no further, this home is the best of both worlds boasting 2 acres of tree lined tranquility. I’m confident you will be anxious to call this home!
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my homeworth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.
