More on Mannsfield

I have found more information on Mannsfield. The Library of Congress has documents, photos, and drawings done of Mannsfield as part of the Historic American Buildings Survey. The URL to the Mannsfield page is quite long, too long to be inserted here. It can be accessed by going to http://www.loc.gov/, typing Mannsfield into the search box, and then clicking on the HABS link. I have not yet read the report or looked at all the photos and drawings, but it looks to be the most comprehensive information I have seen on this home. It was probably built sometime between 1770 and 1776 by Mann Page the fourth.

Ennis House

This is the Innis house (sometimes spelled Ennis), located on the Fredericksburg Civil War Battlefield on Marye's Heights. It will be open during the commemoration of the 145th anniversary of the December 1862 Battle of Fredericksburg on 8-9 December 2007. The house suffered heavy artillery damage during the battle. The exterior clapboards were replaced, but peering in through the windows, damage to interior walls is visible.

The house is near a monument to Confederate Sergeant Richard Kirkland, known as the Angel of Marye's Heights. He carried canteens of water to wounded and dying Union soldiers on the battlefield. Kirkland was only 19 years old when he performed this act of mercy. He survived Fredericksburg but was killed at Chicamauga, Georgia in September 1863.

Mannsfield

In reading about the Civil War battles at Fredericksburg, I have come across reference to a house known as Mannsfield. Note the spelling, two n's. The Virginia Historical Society has a photo and short descriptive paragraph at: http://www.vahistorical.org/lva/mannsfield.htm

I'm wondering if any portion of the house is still standing. I have seen it's location on maps related to the December 1862 Battle of Fredricksburg, but I have no idea if there is still anything there.

Artillery Demonstration

On Sunday, August 12, 2007, I attended a demonstration of the firing of a Napoleon 12-pounder cannon, one of the types of cannon used by both armies in the Civil War. It was a wonderfully informative demonstration, with all of the crew members contributing to the explanation and demonstration.

The uniforms worn by the crew in the photo to the left are of the Washington Artillery Battalion of Louisiana.

There is going to be a re-enactment of the Battle of Fredericksburg of December 1862 on December 8-9, 2007 to commemorate the 145th anniversary of the battle. For more information, visit the National Park Service page at: http://www.nps.gov/frsp/special.htm

Merrimac Gun

Braving very hot weather, I went for a walk in Fredericksburg on Saturday, camera in hand. I discovered that the Fredericksburg Area Museum has a gun from the ironclad Merrimac, renamed the CSS Virginia by the Confederates. This particular gun was damaged in battle on March 8th, 1862 at Newport News, Virginia, according to the sign affixed to the gun's support.

Stafford County

I just read an article about a drive around Stafford County written by freelance writer Shannon Howell and published in the Free Lance-Star as Meandering Stafford. It is an example for those of us who enjoy exploring local sites and history, and it makes me want to go out with my camera for a similar jaunt. For those not from this area, southern Stafford County adjoins Fredericksburg.

Illnesses at the Circuit Court Building

Employees in the Fredericksburg Circuit Court building are complaining of illnesses which they feel are being caused by the building. Follow the link to an article in the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star describing the complaints and efforts to locate the cause.

This photo of the Circuit Court building is a composite of two photos combined to show the building and tower. I think it is a beautiful building with an important architectural history, and I do hope a way is found to make it a healthy place to work again.