Stepping back in time at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield
Published 9:21 am Thursday, April 15, 2021
A Cavalry regiments charges forward Saturday, April 9 at Sailor's Creek State Park. (Photo by Jan Chayt)
An infantry regiment fire shots during Sailor Creek State Park's Anniversary Commemoration. (Photo by Jan Chayt)
Members of the U.S. 2nd Cavalry reenactors fire their weapons after performing a dismount from their horses. The cavalry members showed several different riding and fighting tactics used during Civil War battles. (Photo by Jan Chayt)
The cavalry regiment prepares to drill before those gathered Saturday at Sailor's Creek State Park.
A member of the Cavalry regiment mounts her horse before participating in drills Saturday, April 9 at Sailor's Creek State Park.
Will Drewry shows one of the swords that would have been used by soldiers in the Civil War.
Will Drewry shows a side arm typically carried by members of cavalry units during the Civil War.
Will Drewry and Jan Chayt discuss weapons used during the Civil War outside the Cavalry’s camp at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historic State Park Saturday, April 9.
Joseph Owens from Roanoke, Doug Camper from Roanoke, Russell Chu from Salem and Jared Holmes from Medina, Ohio gather around the camp fire Saturday outside the Hillsman House.
Scott Womack of Monroe County West Virginia brings his horse “Red” close to those gathered after the cavalry drills Saturday.
Diane Lanier shows a sistern and platter returned from the Hillsman family. It is believed the dishes were once a part of the Hillsman House. This is in the bottom floor of the Hillsman House where the family stayed while soldiers recuperated on the upper floor.
Bob and Lucille Fisch listen to Diane Lanier tell about the first floor of the Hillsman House and the history that happened there.
Jonathan Lanier stands underneath the photo of Captain James Hillman for whom the Hillman House is named. Lanier said he has been doing Civil War reenactments and programs for more than 30 years.
Elia Ramos (center) and Jaime Lara of California came to the event to learn more about early American history while in the area. Here they are talking with Mark Day of Lynchburg.
An infantry group drills on the front lawn of the Hillsman House.
An infantry group drills on the front lawn of the Hillsman House.
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An encampment of soldiers armed with rifled muskets and a cavalry unit turned back the clock to 1865 last Saturday, April 10, during the Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park Commemorative Anniversary Celebration.
Civil War reenactors from as far away as Ohio gathered on the lawn of the Hillsman House where infantrymen drilled with rifled muskets while others swapped war stories around a campfire.
The Hillsman House served as a hospital during the April 1865 battle that occurred approximately 72 hours before Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox.
Blood stains, still visible on the 250-year-old hardwood floors of the home, have been preserved by placing small pieces of plexiglass over them. Replicas of the crude medical tools used at the time give an inkling of the agony experienced there.
Outside, a cavalry unit demonstrated battlefield maneuvers and strategy, including how to fire a gun while riding and showing the speed and agility of the horses as they charge the enemy lines.
The gathered visitors toured the home, talked with reenactors and watched the demonstrations from the infantry and cavalry units.
