Battle of Cedar Creek Tricia Strader is an award-winning Civil The Civil War in War living historian and writer. She Jefferson County portrayed Mrs. Jefferson Davis in “April 1865” for the History Channel

Tricia enjoys portraying her distant relative the Union commander Philip Sheridan famous Confederate spy Belle Boyd. Stonewall rallies his troops after the initial Jackson praised her assistance during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862. The Belle Confederate attack at Cedar Creek Boyd house in Martinsburg West was built at the same time as Lewis Washington’s additions at Roger Kaplan will discuss the Battle of Cedar Beallair and shows a remarkable similarity in style. Creek, the climactic end to the two-year struggle for control of the Shenandoah Valley. While detailing the battle and its impact on the war he will focus on Beallair is connected with the history of Jef- the Army of West Virginia. Posted on the Union left, West Virginia regiments under Brigadier Gen- ferson county and two of the nations most eral George Crook received the full force of the ini- distinguished families, the Bealls and the tial Confederate assault but reformed and joined in Washingtons. Ninian Beall arrived in Mary- the Union counterattack land in 1655 as an indentured servant and The First Beallair later that afternoon. became a leading landowner and head of the Historical Presentation Roger retired from the state militia. His grandson, Thomas Beall US Army after more owned Beallair. Lewis Washington was both Sunday, May 15, 2011 than 22 years of active duty in 1998. In addi- the grandson of Thomas Beall and the great 2:00 to 4:00 PM tion to his assignments grandnephew of . with field artillery units at the Historic he served as an assistant Beallair Manor House professor of military history at the US Mili- We would like to thank The Wormald tary Academy and later as the Chief of Historical Companies for their support of this project and Services at the US Army Center of Military History. for their assistance in producing this flyer. Featuring talks by well known He has published articles on military history in the historians Dennis E. Frye and Roger Kaplan, a living history portrayal of This is the first in an ongoing series of Historical Directions to Beallair: presentations designed to promote understanding of Confederate spy Belle Boyd by Tricia From Route 340, go north on Old Country Club Road about 1.3 miles. the rich history of Jefferson County. We are plan- Strader, tours of the Manor House, and Turn right at the Beallair gate and continue on Beallair Manor Drive to ning a presentation for the fall of 2011 about the other activities. Washington and Beall families. For more informa- the manor house on the left. tion, please check our web site at: Since Beallair is a gated community, the Manor House is only open to www.BeallairEstate.info the public during special events. Please call 1.800.353.0068 if you have questions on the directions or wish to arrange a special visit. www.BeallairEstate.info War Erupts in Jefferson County History of Beallair 1748 George Washington surveys the eastern panhandle region for Lord Fairfax , grand nephew of George 1770 John Crow buys land from Lord Fairfax and builds a Washington, married Elizabeth Beall in 1807. Their wood house for his family son Lewis inherited the Beallair 1775 Thomas Crow inherits property from his father estate from Elizabeth’s father, Thomas Beall. In 1850 1791 Joseph Nourse buys the property from Crow Lewis Washington initiated an expansion of the 1790's North portion of manor house built manor house. The two distinct structures—18th cen- 1801 Jefferson County formed from Berkeley County tury house with separate kitchen, and 19th century 1803 Thomas Beall buys property from Nourse addition on the front—were unified with stucco ve- 1807 George Corbin Washington marries Thomas Beall’s neer. daughter Elizabeth 1812 Lewis Washington born to Elizabeth and George Corbin On October 16, 1859, Brown captured the federal 1836 Lewis Washington marries Mary Barroll Residents of Jefferson County watch as armory at Harpers Ferry and 1837 Winchester and Potomac Railroad (W&P) constructed the Harpers Ferry Arsenal is burned to ordered his men to take hos- just south of Beallair the ground on April 18, 1861. tages. At Beallair they cap- 1855 Lewis Washington completes the expansion of manor tured Lewis Washington house at cost of $6,731 “The Civil War was the worst thing that could hap- who was not intimidated by 1859 John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry his captors. He told them, 1860 Lewis Washington marries Ella Bassett pen to Jefferson County. Located literally on the 1861 Start of the Civil War border between North and South, both countries “You are a very bold look- ing set of fellows, but I should doubt your courage. … 1862 Battle of Harpers Ferry eyed the county for its strategic location, and both 1863 West Virginia secedes from Virginia countries insisted on its occupation. Peaceful, pas- I believe with a pop-gun I could take either of you in your shirt tail.” 1864 Battle of Cedar Creek toral Jefferson County suddenly had the dagger of 1871 Lewis Washington dies at Beallair Civil War thrust into its heart” On October 18th, federal troops, under the command 1877 Court orders sale of Beallair to pay debts of Col. Robert E. Lee, captured Brown and his men, Dennis E. Frye is a promi- 1979 Beallair added to National Register of Historic Places, and rescued the hostages. After the rescue, Lewis nent Civil War historian under the spelling Beall-Air Washington told a friend that “I feel as hungry as a and battlefield preserva- 1980 Don and Mary Jo Kennard buy Bellair hound and as dry as a powder-horn.” Washington was tionists. He has appeared 2004 Wormald Homes buys Beallair widely praised for his calmness and courage during on PBS, The History 2007 Yvonne and John Gagnon become the first residents of the raid. the Beallair community Channel, The Discovery Channel, and A&E and In 1864 Washington went to France on a diplomatic After the war his second wife was an Associate Producer mission for the Confederacy. Ella was able to obtain a pardon for the Civil War movie for her husband through her Gods and Generals . He has friendship with Gen. George written 77 articles and six Custer. Despite Ella’s dislike of books. His next book will Union soldiers, whom she called be Under Fire: Harpers “devils,” she admired Custer’s spirit and gallantry. Program Don and Mary Jo Kennard who purchased Beallair in 1980, originally thought the 2:00 War Erupts in Jefferson County restoration of the derelict manor house would take six 2:30 Battle of Cedar Creek months. Unfortunately, this proved to be a bigger un- dertaking and eventually consumed 19 years. They 3:00 Living History, Manor House enjoyed entertaining, and Congressman Charlie Wil- Tours, discussions with the son was a frequent guest. As a Texas state senator, speakers and other activities Don was an advocate of environmental and historical Beallair During the Civil War conservation.