1St Annual Highland Games Held at Laurel Hill
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SUMMER 2008 Newsletter of the J.E.B. Stuart Birthplace Preservation Trust, Inc. P.O. Box 1210, Stuart, Virginia 24171 • 276.251.1833 • www.jebstuart.org 1ST ANNUAL HIGHLAND GAMES HELD AT LAUREL HILL by Glen King The Blue Ridge Scottish Heavy Athletic Association members but from the Scottish heritage groups throughout the area, but I was simply amazed and gratifi ed by the manner in which the Trust and its Board of Directors rolled up their sleeves Dr. James A. Keesee and went to work. When one embarks upon the diffi cult talk of expressing gratitude to a large President number of participants, the one certain result Mrs. Shirley O. Keene is that inadvertently the names of some will be Vice-President omitted. So, permit me to express my heartfelt Mrs. M. Coates Clark thanks to all of the Trust members, the athletes, Secretary the entertainers, the vendors and clans and to the Mr. Brian Jessup CPA Ararat Rescue Squad who faithfully ensured the Dear reader, it has been a cherished dream of Treasurer safety and health of all for the magnifi cent job mine for a very long time that somehow, in some John R. Broughton they did during this initial Highland Games at way, I could be instrumental in the establishment Laurel Hill. Editor of the Highland Games at a suitable location in southwest Virginia. That dream became For those readers who, for whatever reason Look Inside For: a reality on April 26th with the holding of the were unable to attend the Games, I would like to fi rst annual Highland Games at Laurel Hill. It page 2 highlight some of the day’s activities which will was as if an idea and a venue had come together The President’s Page hopefully provide a little fl avor for the reader like a cosmic accident when in a discussion of Historic Inscriptions about modern day Highland Games. First, the my dream with fellow worker, Ronnie Haynes, opening ceremonies set the tone for the day with page 3 who happened to be a member of the Board of words of welcome, anthems, prayer and the What The General Wore Directors of Laurel Hill, who immediately said, accompanying notes of the Jamestown Pipes and “why not Laurel Hill.” As he and I walked over Drums. The parade of the Tartans followed with page 4 the sunlit, beautiful high meadows of Laurel the marching of the clans to the majestic notes Between a Pig and a Peak Hill, I knew instantly that this was the ideal of the Jamestown Pipes and Drums. Under the place for the recreation of those ancient games page 5 main tent there were great musical performances. of Scotland. And, quite coincidentally, it is The Lee Tree The magnifi cent singing group, the Celthix, diffi cult to fi nd a more glorious Scottish heritage performed, highlighting their mastery of Celtic pages 6-7 than that of the Stuart family. As we continued music. The musical performances included the New Trust Directors our walk in silence, I could hear the echoing of Jamestown Pipes and Drums along with the lyrical A Gift of Love the drums and pipes, the swishing of the kilts and voice of DorNel Pratt whose vocal renditions of the cheering of the crowds and I knew a prayer Celtic songs will not soon be forgotten. The page 8 had been answered. From that moment on, the athletic events of the afternoon were great crowd An Admirer’s View work began. pleasers. Those who watched did so in awe as Of General J.E.B. Stuart My organization, the Blue Ridge Scottish Heavy these tremendous athletes competed in the stone Athletic Association, presented its proposed put, caber toss, sheaf toss and weight throw for page 9 program to the Board of Directors of the J.E.B. Historic Document height events. And judging by the thunderous Stuart Birthplace Trust, who I must say adopted applause in appreciation of the talents of these page 10 it with great enthusiasm and support. Obviously, great athletes the afternoon events were a Scenes from the to present a program of this nature requires a great success. Other activities that claimed the Highland Games great deal of assistance from both the Association attention of the crowds were the exhibition of and the Trust. I knew that I could count on the the Border Collie dogs and their sheepherding page 11 contributions from not only the Association continued on page 11 Membership Information The President’s Page Dear Friends of Laurel Hill, Florida. The directors who were on duty this day were frequently approached by complimentary visitors expounding how much In my prior term as president of this fi ne organization (2005), they enjoyed learning about General Stuart, Laurel Hill and I had the pleasure of overseeing the fi nal strokes of a long time the Civil War as well as the Highland Games and festivities. dream of the board of directors, the paving of Laurel Hill’s The “Celthix”, a local musical group, as well as Ms. DorNel internal roadways. This was possible due to the receipt of a most Pratt local vocalist and guitarist, performed during the day. The generous gift from a long time supporter, the late Mr. William Jamestown (NC) Pipes and Drums enter- tained, played and Smith and the unrelenting foresight of our board members. The marched over the grounds throughout the day. We are proud of fruition of this major investment completed the evolution of how well this event was presented and supported. Glen King the Birthplace from little more than a cow pasture to a more from the Woolwine community is lauded for his planning and inviting park setting. execution of the games and other Celtic events. Now the board has again placed me at the head of the table A work already in progress is a facelift for the area at the and dealt me a great hand to play. I am honored and humbled entrance to Laurel Hill, much as your favorite dress or your that they have conveyed their confi dence in me once again. most comfortable shoes receive in time. The fence and plant Already, in my fi rst three months the board has succeeded in the beds that served well in the past, reached an unsavory condition promotion of Laurel Hill to thousands of tourists and businesses and needed replacement. As time and funding permit, the at Fast Track 2008 in Martinsville, Virginia and at a welcome placement of new entrance landscaping will appear. center on Interstate-77 near the North Carolina state line. The fi nancial donations and encouragement of our loyal On April 5th, “Park Day” over twenty people from four supporters facilitate the continued development of this beloved states appeared to assist the board with a general tidying of the site to which cause we remain dedicated. Your generosity is grounds and roadside. The weather was very threatening that truly appreciated. day, however, much was accomplished. With kindest regards always, Laurel Hill hosted the fi rst annual Highland Games and Living History event on April 26. This event attracted hundreds James A. Keesee of visitors of all ages to the Birthplace. A large percentage of President these were fi rst time visitors and from as far away as Maine and Historic Inscriptions Sometimes, among the myriad of questions that are posed to On the West Side: “Born in Patrick County, Virginia, February the Trust via email concerning the life of General Stuart, there 6, 1833. Died in Richmond May 12, 1864, aged 31 years. are questions of general interest that we are pleased to answer Mortally wounded in the Battle of Yellow Tavern May 11, and publish in the Newsletter. This question was posed about 1864. He gave his life for his country and saved this city from the inscriptions contained on the magnifi cent equestrian destruction. statue of General Stuart located on Monument Avenue in On the North Side: “His grateful country will mourn his loss Richmond, Virginia. The question is “could you please tell and cherish his memory. To his comrades in arms he has left me the inscriptions on the four sides of the Stuart statue on the proud recollection of his deeds and the inspiring infl uence Monument Avenue in Richmond.” We are pleased to provide of his example.”----Gen. R.E. Lee, to the Army of Northern the answer: Virginia May 20, 64. On the East Side: “General J.E.B. Stuart, Commander of On the South Side: “Tell General Stuart to act on his own Cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia, Confederate judgment and to do what he thinks best. I have implicit States of America. Erected by his comrades and the City of confi dence in him.”---Stonewall Jackson at Chancellorsville. Richmond A.D. 1906 2 What the General Wore: An Investigation into the Uniforms and Equipment of Major General J.E.B. Stuart by Robert J. Trout Part III colonel and colonel, he immediately took steps to General Stuart: rectify his lack of a proper Confederate uniform The Verbal Descriptions once he became a general. In a letter to Flora on October 21, 1861, he wrote that his uniform was Col. J.E.B. Stuart’s talent for leading not paid for and had yet to be made. Just when the cavalry, matched by Stuart’s vision on how tailor delivered this fi rst of Stuart’s Confederate cavalry should be used, was rewarded on uniforms is unknown. The earliest description we September 24, 1861, when Stuart received a have of him in Confederate gray comes from John well-deserved promotion to brigadier general.