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Home , David McMurtrie Gregg

Brentsville Neighbors “Preserving Brentsville’s History” J u l y 2 0 1 6

Welcome neigbors,

Shortly after the June newsletter was distributed I Then on July 18 – 22 experience the CivilWar Basic received thefollowing:“Goshyou didn’teven mention Summer Camp at Brentsville Courthouse Historic the49th in thenewsletter forCourtDays that isso not Centre. This event is geared for youth aged 8 to 12 like you.Tony said they had a good amount watching and runs from 9a.m. untilnoon each day. Thecost is themusteringin. Thejailwasabighitexceptthepeople $130 per participant. The Civil War Basic Camp is a who spent the night in there.Long story for another unique, hands on approach to the history of the day.” With head hunglow Ihad to admit thatthis was American CivilWar. Activities includeenlistment,drill correct BUTI was not able to personally attend the and tactics,uniforms and equipment,flags,food ways Court Days because my #1 granddaughter was and shelters used by both Union and Confederate graduatingfrom college and after all,what grandfather Infantry. Thecamp includes atourof the1861 portion worth his salt would have missed that! Thus the of ManassasNationalBattlefield. Registrationfor this information I used was second hand (at best) and camp can be done on line at www.pwcparks.org or obviously notcomplete. I’lltry to do betternext time. by calling 703-792-8320 or 703-365-7895. Honest. Page 9of thisedition announces that bees are coming Hereare twoevents you may wish to considerfor this to Brentsville! Faithfulreaders of our newsletter will month. First, on July 16th at 7 p.m. there will be a no doubt rememberthat in the October 2010 section “Reptiles andAmphibiansof Virginia”presentation by called Reader Feedback, Mike Janay told us about naturalist and reptile expert Tony Bulmer who will hisexperiencekeepingbees on the WoolyBoolyFarm presenta lectureon thenative reptiles and amphibians on Barbee Road.Beekeeping was practiced by almost thatcallVirginiahome.Learnwhy havingthesespecies every farmer but, like many other things, is slowly in youryard and our parksis agood thing.Thelecture disappearing fromourcommunity. willbeheld atBrentsville CourthouseHistoric Centre and willinclude guest appearances by some of our Very best wishes, local reptilian residents. Cost is $5 per person. For more information on this one please call 703-365- Kay and Morgan 7895.

This month: Letter From Brentsville page 2 In Search of Civil War Canes pages 5-7 WhereWild Things Live page 3 When War Came page 8 Writingon the Wall page 4 ALook Backin History page 9 Bees Come to Brentsville page 9

130-01 People in the country GIVE Services and visiting Mrs. Speaks’ mother, Mrs. J. you things. J. Whetzel. It gets to be a perfect mania. Mrs. Ray Hedrick’s’ daughter, Mrs. William Especially in the summer. Say Edwards, and children were visitors on Sunday. fromaboutAprilfirst untilthe end Mrs. Eleanor Heflin, who has been a guest of ofAugust it is not safe to paythe Mr. and Mrs. Wister Stephens, has given up her mostinnocentcall upona neighbor apartment in Alexandria and is moving to Philadelphia unless you are prepared to stagger home under the to live with her daughter, Mrs. Gladys Yeager. weight of several bushels of wax beans, turnips, Visitors at the Stephens on Thursday were Mrs. cabbage plants … Cleveland Fisher, Mrs. Eagle, Martha Ann Eagle, and “Hello, Mrs. Smith,” you say, sticking your head Doris Anne Kline. cautiously around her kitchen door. “I just stopped in Mr. Benny Breeden’s two nieces, MissAlice and for a second to ask if you still have that recipe for Cora Lane, from Washington, were guests for the watermelon pickle?” week-end. “ComeIN,” says Mrs. Smith with a leer, rubbing Mrs. Charles Kempton’s sister who is visiting her hands together. “You’re JUST the person I them spent Friday in Washington with Master Wayne wanted to see. I understand that you need some Kempton. The Kemptons spent Sunday swimming cabbage plants.” and picnicking near Linton Hall. “Well, I COULD do with a few, … to fill out a Bible School will start on Monday morning at 9 row,” you admit, fearing the worst and trying o’clock at the Old Court House, and last until 12 desperately to think of a way to escape. noon every week-day morning. “FINE!” exclaims Mrs. Smith, getting a quick The Reverend Frank Griffith, who recently hammerlock on onearm and dragging you off toward resigned as pastor of the Baptist Church, has returned the coldframe. at the request of his congregation. The cabbage plants areenormous, and she forces There was a family reunion at the home of Mr. 3 or 4 dozen on you, despite your feeble protests and Mrs. W. E. Brown when Mrs. Brown’s brother, that your family doesn’t eat much cabbage. Visions Mr. J. E. Elam, of Newcastle, Indiana, and his son, of yourself bendingover ahot stovemakingsourkrout Jackie arrived to spend several days. Among those flit across your anguished mind. present were Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Neff, of Baltimore, “While we’re here,” she says, “let’s just go out Mr. and Mrs. Bob Bankert, of Friendly Town, Md., andtake alook atthe turnips. HowAREyour turnips Mr. and Mrs. Davis, and child, of Harwood Park, doing?” Md., Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Simms, Mr. and Mrs. Caught off guard, you confess that you didn’t Harold Neff, Corporal Bill Brown, and George plant turnips this year. Melvin. While Mr. Elam was here he took the “Well, never mind,” says Mrs. Smith consolingly, opportunity to go sight-seeingin Washington, and on “I’ll give you some of mine. They need thinning Thursdayvisited Mt. Vernon in the company of Mrs. anyway. And seizing a trowel, off she goes; you Brown, Mrs. Simms, and Mrs. Neff. bringing up the rear, reluctantly, with a basket. Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Fletcher, of Washington, And one thing leads to another. It’s “How about were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Keys on Saturday. some of these wax-beans for supper tonight?” And A meetingwas held recently atthe homeof Mrs. “I’m SURE you could use a little rhubarb chard, … Ora Keys for the purpose of reorganizing the John won’t touch it!” Or, “You’d better take a few Baseball Club. Nelson Bradshaw was appointed plants of dill and cherry-tomatoes, Ihate tosee them President; Morris Keys, vice-president; and Jim go to waste …” Shoemaker, Secretary and Treasurer. Various And the last voice you hear before collapsing committees were named to carry out plans, and the from heat, overwork, and the sheer weight of two Club puton a businesslike basis. tons of vitamins, is Mrs. Smith’s saying cheerfully, Regards, “How did we EVER happen to miss the salsify …?” Agnes Webster Mr. and Mrs. Everett Speaks, of Washington, spent Sunday evening in Brentsville attending Church Source: The Manassas Messenger, July 16, 1948

130-02 Where WILD things live... Cirsiumvulgare Bull Thistle (Aster Family)

This plant is a biennial individual plants before they that forms a rosette of leaves reach the flowering stage. It is during the first year, and bolts possible for aplant to reestablish upward during the second year itself if a portion of the taproot to produce flowers. It forms remains in the ground. occasional side stems, but This thistle is adventive remains erect in stature, reaching from Eurasia, and it has existed 3-6' in height. The stout stems are in the UnitedStates since the19th light green, somewhat angular, century, if not earlier. Habitats and covered with dense white include pastures, abandoned hairs. The alternate leaves are up fields, fence rows, areas along to 7" long and 2" across. In roadsides and railroads, cut-over outline, they are lanceolate in woods, and miscellaneous waste shape, but deeply pinnatifid. The areas. This species prefers widely spaced lobes narrow into disturbed areas and it is not points that are individuallyarmed common in high quality natural with a paleyellow spine. Some of areas. the upper leaves near the The nectar and pollen of flowerheads maybe lanceolate or linear, but remain unlobed. the flowers attract many kinds of long-tongued bees, Across the surface of the leaves, there are short white hairs including bumblebees, leaf-cutting bees, long-horned bees, and scattered small spines. The upper surface is dark green, and cuckoo bees. The flower nectar also attracts butterflies while the lower surface is light green. At the base of each (especially swallowtails), skippers, and bee flies. Green leaf, there are a pair of narrow wings that are dark green and metallic bees andother Halictid bees maycollect pollen from decurrent against the stem. These wings are extensions of the flowers, but they are non-pollinating. The caterpillars of the leaves and arm the stems with spines up to ¼” long. the butterflyPainted Lady feed on the foliage. There are also The upper stems terminate in flowerheads of many moth species with caterpillars that consume various purplish pink to purple flowers. Each flowerhead is 1½–2" parts of thistles. The seeds are eaten by the American across and contains numerous disk florets, but no rayflorets. Goldfinch and the Clay-colored Sparrow. Goldfinches also Each disk floret is long and tubular, but becomes divided use the tufts of hair as construction material for their little into 5 long thread-like lobes. This provides the flowerhead nests. Mammalian herbivores don’t eat the Bull Thistle with a showy hair-like appearance. At the base of each because it is heavily armed with spines. Even in overgrazed flowerhead, are numerous green bracts that taper into stiff pastures where cattle and sheep have little to eat, the Bull points that curl outward and are quite prickly.Among these Thistle is one of the few plants that is left alone bracts are cobwebby hairs in the background. The blooming Comments: This is a very spiny thistle that can period occurs from mid- to late summer and lasts about 3-4 become quite tall. The leaf undersides of the Bull Thistle are weeks, after which the florets wither away. The root system light green or whitish green, while the leaf undersides for consists of a stout taproot that runs deep into the ground. some native thistles, such as Cirsium discolor (Pasture This plant spreads byreseeding itself and occasionallyforms Thistle) and Cirsium altissimum (Tall Thistle), are powdery colonies. white in appearance. Other native thistles, however, don’t This thistle usuallygrows in full sununder moist to have this latter characteristic. The Bull Thistle also has dry conditions. It prefers a fertile soil that consists of loam, spines on its stems (from the decurrent extensions of the clay loam, or that is slightly stony. Occasionally the foliage leaves), while the stems of native thistles are spineless. is affected by mildew during the summer or fall. Individual plants can produce a great abundance of seed, which have a Source: http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/ high germination and survival rate. Thus, this plant can be bull_thistle.htm quite aggressive. Because the seeds remain viable for only 1-2 years, one control strategy consists of destroying

130-03 Writingon theWall By Morgan Breeden

Not long ago I was invited to the former Eddy and seemed to fit. He sold the home to H.H. James on 6 RobertaNestor homein Brentsville(they nowlive in January 1925, aman with a fairlylarge family.At least Strasburg) tosee oldcoins thathad been found under three of the children attended school in the old the floor dating back to the mid-1800’s. They were courthouse, Hubert, Taylor and Philip. Wait! Did I discoveredwhileEddywas workingon “fixingtheplace just say Hubert? So off to the schoolrecords and upa bit”priortoputtingiton themarket. Itookmy sureenough,HubertJames and Helen Spitzerwere in binocularstereo dissectingmicroscope hopingto get school together from 1925 until 1929. During the a better look at the dates and details that were 1928-29 schoolyear Hubert was 15 and Helen was sometimes quite worn. It worked just fine and we 12 years old so it sure seems a young love was spentabitof timelooking atthem and wonderinghow possible. Thenote iswritten in script with a pencilso it they mighthave ended up underthe floor. is alsolikely thata youngman of15couldhavewritten it. 1929 was the last time school was held in the old It’s beenaverylongtimesinceI’vebeen inthis historic courthouse with the construction of anew one-room homewhere EdwinNelson,Clerkof theCourts, lived schoolserving grades one thru five just to the west of justpriorto thecounty seatmoving from Brentsville to it and a new Brentsville District High School in the near-by town. Thus, Eddy offered to show me Nokesville serving allgrades. School records do not around which I happilyaccepted. Over theyears the list him as attending either place so it is likely that he house has been changed a bit here and there—new either transferred to Manassas (I don’t have those rooms added, stairwells changed. But it remains a records) or left schoolto work. beautifulold housewith smallwinding stairsleading to thespacious atticas wellas to the damp old basement Was thisactually HubertJames and Helen Spitzer? I where weexplored antique door locks, mason jars, honestly don’tknow butit sureseems likely. Ifitwere, medicinebottles and such. But perhaps the highlight we know for sure that it didn’t last because Helen of thevisit to the basementwas thewriting on the wall. eventually married Hubert Michaelin January 1935. In legible scriptit was written “Hubertand Helen—in Butthe writingremains on the wall… Love”(see photo). Eddy asked ifI mightknow who it was and while the names were familiar, it would require some exploring in an attempt to find who Hubertand Helen really were.

Laterthatevening whiletalkingwithmy wifeitseemed obvious—Hubert Michaeland Helen Spitzer. Long time residents of Brentsville (Helen more so than Hubert) who were married and had threechildren. But I could not help but wonder—if that was true, why was it written here? Time to start digging through records.

DelawareWright owned thepropertyup untilthe end of1924 buthe was unmarried and none of the names

130-04 In Search of Civil War Canes by Phyllis Feigenbaum

I have been asked by Morgan Breeden to write a story Gold was discoveredin early1848 inthe Sacramento Valley about my search for artifacts and how I came to find a which sparked the Gold Rush, turning California cane identified to A. A. Lynn of Dumfries, VA. Everybody into a trulyglobal frontier. More than300,000 gold seekers collects something at some time. Childhood hobbies are flooded California by 1850. As I researched this often an outlet for creativity, with youthful interests fascinating period and its intersection with my new home shifting and becoming more refined with time. Through state, I discoveredthat on 1/5/1859 duringthe Pike’s Peak our hobbies and collections we discover a bit more about Gold Rush, a prospector discovered placer gold at the ourselves, our interests and aspirations, and our place in present site of Idaho Springs, the first substantial gold the world. I’ve been a collector for as long as I can discovery in Colorado, only 30 miles from my home! remember. Asa child, mydolls were leftunloved as Iwas far too busy looking for rocks and fossils in the nearby A couple years ago I was digging through a box I had fields. As a college student in the early 1970’s, I began long packed away and uncovered two Civil War bullets. collecting old bottles and railroad date nails, inexpensive Neither my husband nor I could remember where they treasures easily found at flea markets or walking along came from, but their discovery reminded me that years abandoned railroad tracks, a perfect pastime for one with before I had bought myson a book on the Civil War, and limited means. During that time I learned the joy of although he had only a passing interest, I was fascinated. arrowhead hunting walkingcornfields in Southern Illinois. I filed this budding interest away for a later time. Over the years Ihave collected demitasse cups, Victorian Discovering two Minie Balls rekindled my interest. As a Majolica (I love the jewel colors of the translucent lead cane collector, I have enjoyed expanding my hunt to glazes and the organic shapes of the pottery) and other include Civil War connected canes. shorter lived interests. Other Civil War canes I have collected: I began collecting bisque and china head dolls before the § Several Gettysburg veterans’ canes carved from birth of our first son; out from storage came Tiny Tears branches culled at the battlefield sites. The and Ginny. Motherhood and a full-time work schedule names of the particular battles, at times Union shelved my collecting impulses until 1998, when I was badges and other designs, are poker given a book, “Canes Through The Ages” by Francis burned (called “pyrography”) down the shafts. Monek, anddiscovered the world of canes. I have been a These canes were probably first made in the cane collector every since. At some point we collectors 1880’s by the Danner Brothers, prominent experience an epiphany, an “ah ha” moment where we Gettysburg cane makers, and sold to returning realize we are motivated by a deeper calling, an internal veterans after the war. Later, souvenir canes were drive to collect a particular object or objects; “I collect, made by battlefield guides to supplement their therefore I am.” Other reasons why we collect: nostalgia paltry veterans’ pensions. and a connection to history, social interaction with other collectors, appreciation of beautiful and/or interesting § Awalkingstickwithoriginal appliquéthat reads, objects, knowledge and learning, relaxation—and it’s FUN. “Confederate Homeof Missouri.” Most of all, we are inspired bythe “thrill of the chase!” § Arelic cane made from a single piece of wood In2009, Imoved to Colorado. Shortlythereafter I began with an attached silver plaque that identifies it studying the history of western expansion and the great as the steamer “Havana.” During the Civil War movement west. The Oregon Trail was laid by fur trappers years, the steamer “Havana” was called “The and traders in the early 19 th century, with the first migrant Cosmopolitan,” and was used as a transport ship wagon trainorganized in Independence, Missouri in about as well as hospital ship 1836. Wagontrails were clearedincreasinglyfurther west and by1842-1843, the number of emigrants skyrocketed. § Acaneidentifiedasbelongingto aUnionsoldier Were any of your ancestors part of these amazingly who enlistedon2/6/1862 in the PA107th Infantry. resilient groups of pioneers?

130-05 (Continued on page 6) (Continuedfrom page 5) Attached to the shaft are two plaques, one with Abner AshbyLynn. It is made of wood, with the initials his name and the other reads “Antietam.” A.A. Lynn carved in shallow relief on the 5” in diameter ring-shaped handle. Also carved in shallow relief on the § Arelic cane made from the remains of The Old handle is a wooden hand which is holding the ring. The Long Bridgein Washington D.C. Old Long Bridge shaft is made from two pieces of wood into which the was the main bridge from D.C. to Arlington, VA carver (A.A. Lynn?) chose to incise a stylized organic and was the primary jumping off point for Union pattern of leaves and flowers. The stick is stained dark forces entering Virginia during the war. It was brown. The collar is missing. The part that touches the demolished in 1906, most likely when this stick ground, the ferrule, is made of brass, which might have was made. started its life as a piece of something else.

§ Atwigcane, the shaft reads: “Cut inthe center ABNER ASHBY LYNN of MalvernHill Battle Field where13,000 soldiers Abner Ashby Lynn, son of Alexander P. Lynn and Mary werekilled July1st , 1862 Battle fought by Lee Jane (Ashby) Lynn, was born November 10, 1842 in Prince and McClellan.” Sometimes these are signed by William County. He had several siblings: Benjamin F. Lynn, the maker, sometimes not; the samemaker Captain Leonard Lynn, Julia Frances Davis, EdwardNorman Lynn, James E. Lyne, made sticks commemorating the Florence E. Kincheloe, Estelle J. Clarke, andMaryM. Lynn Seven Pines battle, as well as Antietam. Captain (once held the family bible) Lyne sold artifacts, served as a battlefield guide, and fought in the on Civil War Years: the Confederate side. Along with thecane, I received afolder containing history researched by the previous owner. I, in turn, researched Most recently, I came across and purchased a cane ID’d as far as I could, hoping to learn as much about the man to a Confederate Civil War cavalrysoldier by the name of as possible. If onlyI could have discovered a photo!

(Continued on page 7) 130-06 (Continuedfrom page 6)

Abner Ashby Lynn enrolled for active service in Mr. Garrison shared that following the war, his great- Brentsville, VAon 5/20/1861 and was mustered into active grandfather returned home to his family and got a job service as a private 5/28/1861, into Captain William W. workingona railroad. “He went backhome to his family Thornton’s Prince William Company, formed in inDumfries. He got a jobwith therailroad, probablythe Januaryof 1860, three months after the John Brown Raid Central Washington Railroad, and he was a custodian of and over a year before Virginia would leave the Union. a railroad bridge.” He was 19years oldat thetime of his enlistment. OnJuly 21, 1861,as an independent company,theyparticipated in After the war, Mr. Lynn married Sarah Harrison Speake, the First Battleof Manassas. On September19, 1861, the on 12/17/1873. From their union the following children Prince William Cavalry Company became CompanyAof were born: Abner Harrison Lynn, Aldwin Speake Lynn, the 4t h Virginia Cavalry. The 4 t h Virginia Cavalry Alvin S. Lynn, Anderson Lynn, Andrew Norman Lynn, participated in 475 battles, many of those considered Annie Jane Lynn, Earl Lynn, Elsie Virginina Lynn, Lilly major, andmustered out onApril 9,1865. Powell Lynn and Lucy Chapman Lynn (1889-1978)/John Milton Smith The following men sharing the Lynn surname also served at one time or another in CompanyA: Absalom T. Lynn, Mr. Lynn applied for pension benefits on May26, 1915. Benjamin F. Lynn-brother, George H. Lynn, Henry Fairfax According to that application, he earned a living as a Lynn, John Currell Lynn, John H. Lynn, Joseph Lynn, Leroy railroad bridge-watchman. The application filled out by W. Lynn, Luther Lynn, Milton Lynn and William W. Lynn Mr. Lynn states, “I served from May1861 to April 1865 and was wounded four times. One ball is still in my body.” InanarticlefromThe Progress-Index datedApril 2, 2015 Interestingly, this account differs from what is found in entitled “The Waterloo of the Confederacy,” Richard Mr. Stiles’ book indicating that Mr. Lynn was wounded Garrison, a direct descendant of Abner Ashby Lynn, seven times. Mr. Lynn died on January 30, 1929 and is traveled from his home in Black Mountain, N.C. to Five buried in Dumfries Cemetery. Forks Battlefield in Dinwiddie County to attend the Five Forks anniversary event on 4/1/2015, reliving the day Thank you for the opportunity to share information when the Union armymarched to the intersection of Five regarding Mr. Abner Ashby Lynn. I will continue my Forks to attack Confederate forces. This battle was a search for additional information regarding this brave critical victoryfor Union troops because it opened up the soldier. Please feel free to contact me with further path to the South Side Railroad, which led to the information! [email protected] “breakthrough” of Petersburg. Lee surrendered to Grant only seven days later.

According to 4 th Virginia Cavalry by Kenneth L. Stiles, Mr. Lynn was “absent April 1865 with wounds; at home surrender; paroled 5/1/1865;wounded 7 times.”

Mr. Garrison offered some additional information about his great-grandfather:

“He was a cavalrymanfor the 4th Virginia cavalry. He was probably dismounted cavalry…we don’t know the specifics, but somewhere along the course of the day he was wounded and carried from the field.” [Referring to the Battle of Five Forks]

Mr. Garrison further added that Mr. Lynn was well suited to join the cavalry, “The family was in the blacksmithing (trade), primarilyinwheelwrights, so they knew a lot about horses.” He added, “And the cavalry was the most romantic thing to be doing.”

130-07 When WAR Came to Brentsville

MANASSAS JUNCTION, July22, 1863. (Received12 m.) CaptainA. J. COHEN,

A. A. G. , CavalryCorps, Hdqrs. Army of the Potomac:

I have placed one at Gainesville, to protect the Manassas Railroad. There is no water at Manassas Junction. One brigade will be at Broad Run, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. This will protect the bridges and Broad Run and Kettle Run, and can look after Mosby in the direction of Brentsville and the Occoquan. If it can be spared, McIntosh’s brigade at Cedar Run would protect the railroad to Warrenton, covering all the bridges. Getting along well. Will get forage to-day. I have sent for clothing and ammunition. One regiment will be at Thoroughfare.

D. McM.GREGG,

David McMurtrie Gregg (April 10, because the mounted arm had not been 1833 – August 7, 1916) was a farmer, used effectively.He removed cavalryunits diplomat, and a Union cavalry general in from corps and divisions, and the . He was born in consolidated them as a separate Cavalry Huntingdon, . He graduated Corps, under Maj. Gen. . from the Military Academy Gregg assumed command of the 3rd (West Point) in 1855 and was given a in February 1863. (Although commission as a infantry divisions are typically in the 2ndU.S. Dragoons Regiment (heavy commanded bymajor generals, few Union cavalry). During his tenure at West Point, cavalry division leaders rose above he interacted with two classmates who brigadier general, and Gregg was no would become great cavalrygenerals—an exception.) opponent and a commander, respectively: During the start of the J.E.B. Stuart, class of 1854, and Philip GettysburgCampaign, Lee’s stealthytroop Sheridan, class of 1853. movements awayfrom the Fredericksburg At the start of the Civil War, Gregg area caused Union consternation and returned to Washington, D.C., where he was promoted to Pleasonton was ordered to find out where they were going. captain in the 3rd U.S. Cavalry, followed soon by a transfer Launching a surprise attack on Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart at to the 6th U.S. Cavalry. He developed and BrandyStation resulted in the largest predominantlycavalry barely escaped death when his Washington hospital caught engagement of the war. The initial assault crossed the fire. In January 1862 he became of the 8th at BeverlyFordundercommand of Brig. Pennsylvania Cavalry. Gen. . While Buford attacked, Greggled the 2nd Gregg and the 8th Pennsylvania fought in the Peninsula and 3rd Divisions across Kelly’s Ford to attack the flank and Campaign, wherehe distinguished himself inthe Seven Days rear of the Confederates on Fleetwood Hill, where Stuart’s Battles, expertly screening retreating Union infantry. The headquarters were located. The fighting was fierce, saber- Battle of Antietam was his next engagement, but cavalry wielding, and hand-to-hand. The Confederates managed to played little role. He received a furlough andmarried Ellen F. repulse Gregg. The battle overall was essentially a draw, Sheaff on October 6, 1862, in Montgomery County, although it surprised and humiliated Stuart, and orders left Pennsylvania; the couple honeymooned in . behind provided valuableintelligence about Lee’s intentions Gregg was promoted to brigadier general just before the to invade and Pennsylvania. . As at Antietam, the cavalry was Gregg died in Reading, Pennsylvania, one of the oldest underutilized and held in reserve. Gregg was sent to assume survivors of thewar in thestate, and is buriedthere in Charles command of another cavalry brigade when its commander, Evans Cemetery.He is memorialized witha bronze equestrian Brig. Gen. GeorgeDashiell Bayard, was killedbyan artillery statue in Reading, and the city’s Post is shell that reached behind the infantry lines. After Maj. Gen. named “Gregg Post” in his honor. The Gregg Cavalry Shaft, assumed command of the demoralizedArmy on East Cavalry Field in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, honors of the Potomac, he shook up the cavalry organization, both Union and Confederate forces who fought there.

130-08 We’re excited to announce that bees are coming to Brentsville! June will see the installation Brentsville of abeehive on the property next to the wildflower garden. The bees will get to work building their A Look Back in History hive up and foraging for nectar and pollen from by as far as 3 miles away. The queen will be laying upwards of 2000 eggs a day in her peak and Ronald Ray Turner gathering enough food to feed the quickly growing hive will keep all the workers very busy. In this first seasonfor thehive our main goalis to let the Commonwealth ofVirginia vs Henry Thomas colony get established and strong before winter, if the hive is strong the bees will have enough 5 December 1878 stores to make it through winter successfully. Come spring the colony will grow quickly and should even start producing enough honey that it can be harvested without risking thebees’ health. PrinceWilliam County to wit: In addition to making honey, bees play a very important role in the ecosystem as a major Tothe Clerk ofthe County Court of said County. pollinator of plants. Unfortunately honey bee I G.G.Gallehera justiceof thesaid county do hereby populations have been in decline all over the United States for over a decade due to pesticide certify that I did on the 2nd day of December 1878 use, parasites, lack of forage and various other on the oath and information of George W. Gardner pathogens. Many gardeners and home owners are issue my warrant to Robert L. Lynn (deputized) trying to help byplanting bee-friendlygardens and constable to arrest and bring beforeme orsomeother avoiding pesticideuse. Plantinga garden that will justice of the said County the body of one Henry bloom through spring into fall is a great way to Thomas (colored) charged with stealingand carrying help native pollinators and honey bees. In return, away one axeof the value ofone dollarthe property the pollinators will help your plants continue to ofMiss MargaretGardner and that on the 5th day of thrive and will even givevegetable gardens a boost December 1878the said warrant was executed and in production. the saidThomas beingbroughtbeforeme was on the The Carolinian-Russian hybrid bees at the testimony ofWestwood Hutchison and R.C. Latham Brentsville hive are known to be very mild mannered so don’t be alarmed if you see a couple found guilty and adjudgedto receiveten lashes on his visiting your property, theykeep to themselves and bareback and R. L.Lynn was ordered to execute the are not prone to stinging. When visiting the said judgment and that the costs for the same are as Brentsville property there willbe signs up around follows:Justice costs forissuing warrant .50 cents, the hive to alert passersby to the hive’s location trying same .50 cents,Constable’s costs for making so those with bee allergies can steer clear. If you arrest .50 cents,executing judgment.50 cents. are interested in getting more information about thehive orour beefriends in general you can send an email to Bill Backus at [email protected].

Given under my hand this5th day of December Technician I Semyon Podobed 1878 Engine 507 G.G.Galleher J.P.

130-09 Brentsville Neighbors “Preserving Brentsville’s History” Contact us on: [email protected] All back issues on: http://www.historicprincewilliam.org/brentsvilleneighbors.html

IN GOD WE TRUST Brentsville Neighbors c/o Morgan Breeden 9721 WindyHill Drive Nokesville,VA20181