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Did You Know?
April 2009
"Did You Know" is a new monthy feature of the website and newsletter to honor, remember, and celebrate the past and present of Emmanuel Church and Episcopalian lore. Please contribute your story about Emmanuel's history, and how Emmanuel has been and continues to be a part of your life. Send your story to: Janet White: 364-4522 or witecranes@msn.com
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Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Delaplane, VA
Delaplane, VA
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The Gray Ghost: John Singleton Mosby
Early in the war, John Singleton Mosby, a small-town Virginia lawyer with no military background, became a trusted scout for Confederate Gen. J. E. B. Stuart. Recognizing the potential for partisan welfare behind enemy lines, Mosby gained approval to raise his own command-the 43rd Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, also called the Partisan Rangers-and conduct raids in Union-controlled territory. In their most famous raid, Mosby and his men slipped into Fairfax Courthouse, captured Union Gen. Edwin Stoughton, and spirited him back to Confederate lines. Although 1,900 men may have served under Mosby at one time or another, he usually operated with just a few dozen because they could attack and disappear quickly. The Rangers operated throughout Northern Virginia but especially in the area bounded by Snickersville (now Bluemont), Aldie, White Plains (The Plains) , and Markham. This was known as Mosby’s Confederacy. Besides disrupting Federal communications and destroying wagon trains and railroads there, Mosby also organized a four-gun artillery battery that stalled union railroad construction and forced the Federals to abandon the Manassas Gap Railroad line that supported the Union army’s campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley. Mosby considered this his most important accomplishment. At the end of the war, unable to secure a truce for his command, Mosby assembled his men at Salem (Marshall) on April 21, 1865. Overcome by emotion, Mosby had his adjutant read his order disbanding the Rangers; “I have summoned you together for the last time. The vision we cherished as a free and independent country has vanished, and that country is now the spoil of a conqueror. I disband your organization in preference to surrendering to our enemies.” Mosby lived in Warrenton for several years after the war and is buried there.
Exerpt from “Mosby’s Confederacy” Mosby Heritage Area
What about the daffodils?
The daffodils on the bank of the churchyard were planted over 50 years ago by Clara McCarty. Clara also started and grew all the boxwood on the church property. She used to grow two rows of zinnias in her garden so that the church would have a good supply of flowers for the altar during the summer months. Back in the 40's the Diocese wanted to close Emmanuel due to low attendance but Clara let them know that this could not be done because "this is a historical church!" How appropriate as we celebrate 150 years of this wonderful "historical" church.
Early in the war, John Singleton Mosby, a small-town Virginia lawyer with no military background, became a trusted scout for Confederate Gen. J. E. B. Stuart. Recognizing the potential for partisan welfare behind enemy lines, Mosby gained approval to raise his own command-the 43rd Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, also called the Partisan Rangers-and conduct raids in Union-controlled territory. In their most famous raid, Mosby and his men slipped into Fairfax Courthouse, captured Union Gen. Edwin Stoughton, and spirited him back to Confederate lines. Although 1,900 men may have served under Mosby at one time or another, he usually operated with just a few dozen because they could attack and disappear quickly. The Rangers operated throughout Northern Virginia but especially in the area bounded by Snickersville (now Bluemont), Aldie, White Plains (The Plains) , and Markham. This was known as Mosby’s Confederacy. Besides disrupting Federal communications and destroying wagon trains and railroads there, Mosby also organized a four-gun artillery battery that stalled union railroad construction and forced the Federals to abandon the Manassas Gap Railroad line that supported the Union army’s campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley. Mosby considered this his most important accomplishment. At the end of the war, unable to secure a truce for his command, Mosby assembled his men at Salem (Marshall) on April 21, 1865. Overcome by emotion, Mosby had his adjutant read his order disbanding the Rangers; “I have summoned you together for the last time. The vision we cherished as a free and independent country has vanished, and that country is now the spoil of a conqueror. I disband your organization in preference to surrendering to our enemies.” Mosby lived in Warrenton for several years after the war and is buried there.
Exerpt from “Mosby’s Confederacy” Mosby Heritage Area
What about the daffodils?
The daffodils on the bank of the churchyard were planted over 50 years ago by Clara McCarty. Clara also started and grew all the boxwood on the church property. She used to grow two rows of zinnias in her garden so that the church would have a good supply of flowers for the altar during the summer months. Back in the 40's the Diocese wanted to close Emmanuel due to low attendance but Clara let them know that this could not be done because "this is a historical church!" How appropriate as we celebrate 150 years of this wonderful "historical" church.
If Emmanuel’s walls (and daffodils) could talk . . .
scroll down to learn more. . .
What has Emmanuel Church witnessed in its 150 years?
Come listen as Rich Gillespie, Director of Education from the Mosby Heritage Association, gives a sense of Emmanuel’s place in time through a series of lively vignettes, which bring to life the early years of the church and the surrounding Crooked Run Valley. This educational program is perfect for children and adults.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
11am during Coffee Hour
Emmanuel Parish Hall
In order to tease your appetite for the history of the area, we've included an excerpt from the Mosby Heritage Area website:
scroll down to learn more. . .
What has Emmanuel Church witnessed in its 150 years?
Come listen as Rich Gillespie, Director of Education from the Mosby Heritage Association, gives a sense of Emmanuel’s place in time through a series of lively vignettes, which bring to life the early years of the church and the surrounding Crooked Run Valley. This educational program is perfect for children and adults.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
11am during Coffee Hour
Emmanuel Parish Hall
In order to tease your appetite for the history of the area, we've included an excerpt from the Mosby Heritage Area website: