Hello Battlefield Supporters,
This is of interest if you are in town on May 16 and / or attending the Back Alley Garden Tour.
As part of the Back Alley Garden Tour & Tea, the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War (GTMC) will have an Open House on May 16th from 10am to 4pm.
It’s also a great opportunity to congratulate Dr. Jen Murray as the new Dennis Frye Endowed Chair.
Mike Nickerson
Log in to Facebook to enjoy watching: The Ruins of Shepherdstown, a beautifully filmed short video clip from John Banks’ Civil War blog.
Here’s the text from this two-minute clip:
“MARYLAND CAMPAIGN: THE RUINS OF SHEPHERDSTOWN”
During the Battle of Shepherdstown (Sept. 19-20, 1862), the cement mill ruins along the Potomac — already partially standing from earlier industrial use — provided ready-made cover for Union troops.
Soldiers used the stone walls and kilns as defensive positions, shielding themselves from fire as they held a tenuous foothold on the Virginia side of the river.
(This has been West “By God” Virginia since June 20, 1863.)
“In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays”
Joshua Chamberlain, October 3, 1889
Dedication of the 20th Maine Monument, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Join us on September 25-27, 2026, for a special gathering to celebrate the triumphs of the modern-day Civil War battlefield preservation movement in the Eastern Theater. This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the establishment of Save Historic Antietam Foundation (SHAF), an organization critical to the preservation and interpretation of the Battle of Antietam. This gathering serves as an opportunity to champion not only the preservation work of SHAF, but also that of other Civil War preservation groups.
Our line-up features fourteen academic scholars, public historians, and battlefield preservationists, many who have shaped the modern-day Civil War battlefield preservation movement. Join us for three days of battlefield walks, lectures, and discussions that consider the imperative of Civil War battlefield preservation.
“Early bird” attendees can kick-off the conference on Friday morning with a battlefield walk at Antietam. This year’s program is anchored by two immersive battlefield tours, one of Harpers Ferry, led by Dennis Frye, and another of Antietam, led by Dennis Frye, Tom Clemens, and Garry Adelman. These field experiences give attendees a chance to stand on historic terrain while learning of monumental victories in battlefield preservation from the people on the front lines of these efforts.
Dr. Caroline Janney will give the keynote address on the origins of battlefield preservation and commemoration. Friday’s events will feature a discussion with Dennis Frye and Tom Clemens on “Celebrating SHAF at 40,” followed by a lecture from A. Wilson Greene on the creation and early years of the Association of Preservation of Civil War Sites (the modern-day American Battlefield Trust). Then, on Saturday, Clark “Bud” Hall will highlight the preservation of Brandy Station and Civil War sites in Culpeper County, Virginia. Then, Dr. John Latschar, former superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park, will offer a discussion of the monumental and landmark battlefield rehabilitation efforts achieved during his tenure. Saturday evening will feature a panel discussion on preservation with several of our faculty members.
Representatives from regional preservation organizations, including Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area, Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, National Parks Conservation Association, Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association, and Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, will participate in a roundtable on preservation challenges and successes.
Author books will be available for sale on Friday thanks to our friends at the Harpers Ferry Park Association.
Registration is available here. More information and event itinerary available here.
Have additional questions? Please contact CWC Director, Dr. Jennifer Murray at jmurr01@shepherd.edu or Program Coordinator Kristen Marino at kmarino@shepherd.edu
The Battle of Shepherdstown (September 19-20,1862) brought some extra excitement to our area on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The Chief Detectorist Bryan Landacre of the Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association (SBPA) was metal detecting in a field on the Osbourn Farm in Shepherdstown. The farm was purchased several years ago through the efforts of the SBPA, American Battlefield Trust, Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission, and the State of West Virginia as it is located in the core battlefield area that was defined by the National Parks Service Special Resources Study in 2014.
Less than 10 minutes into his exploration, the metal-detector sounded a strong hit, indicating a substantial piece of solid metal. There, at a depth of 8-10 inches, Landacre found what appeared to be an unexploded artillery shell, heavily encrusted with rust and dirt. He estimated the shell to be about 8” long, 3” in diameter, and weighing approximately 10 lbs. He immediately sent text messages to SBPA President Dr. Mike Nickerson and SPBA Board member Dr. Sam Stribling about the discovery and “Look what I just found! An artillery shell!”. Not knowing whether it was a live shell, Nickerson notified several SBPA members for advice on how to proceed, notably historians Dr. Tom Clemens and Kevin Pawlak, who suggested contacting the Jefferson County Police. Within the hour the historic property was inundated by seven Sheriff vehicles and a long-ladder fire truck. The officers ensured everyone was safe, isolated the relic and contacted the WV State Police Explosives Response Team. After discussion with Dr. Nickerson, it was scheduled that a State Explosives Expert would perform a detailed examination of the artifact the next morning to determine whether it was a potentially live round and whether it posed any danger.
The next morning, Sunday, March 1, he concluded the shell was a solid shot, having no cavity and/or explosive material. Further investigation revealed it was a Union 10 pound Parrot gun shell, likely fired from a Union artillery battery on the Maryland ridge above the C&O Canal.
This important find is part of an ongoing effort to preserve the history and understanding of the Battle of Shepherdstown by studying artifacts from the battlefield area, including properties now owned by the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission, under farmland preservation easement by the WV Farmland Protection Board, preserved from development by the Land Trust of the Eastern Panhandle, and through the support of local private landowners. An artifacts collection and database have been created and are a dynamic and growing project, currently holding over 100 items ranging from bullets, artillery fragments, pocketknives, buckles, buttons, horseshoes, and various pieces of farm equipment. These have corresponding locational coordinates. Selected artifacts from this collection will go on display in April 2026 at the Historic Shepherdstown Museum in the Entler Hotel. To learn more about SPBA, visit https://shepherdstownbattlefield.org.
Donations from Battlefield Supporters make these efforts possible. Plans for 2026 include expanding visitor access to the Battlefield Park areas by improving parking, creating walking trails, and through the installation of wayside exhibits. Thank you to all our supporters!
Download a copy of the Press Release
The Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association working in the core of the Battle of Shepherdstown has confirmed a first Witness Tree.
This important discovery occurred years ago and a Battlefield supporter recently came forward with key evidence to support the claim. The impressively large maple tree is named after the individual who discovered a Union bullet lodged within the trunk of the tree, the Wootton Witness Tree.
It’s now included in Battlefield tours and activities.
This is incredible and unique support for the Battle of Shepherdstown: a Witness Tree that experienced heavy Union artillery shelling and fierce fighting on September 19 and 20, 1862. This decisive Confederate victory (Ambrose P. Hill) was the final battle in the 1862 Maryland Campaign. After which, Robert E. Lee conferred with his Generals in camp from September 22-25 and decided not to re-cross the Potomac River at Williamsport. Instead they disbursed to winter quarters.
The next conflict occurred almost a month later, on October 16 when Union Calvary and troops again crossed the Potomac River at Packhorse Ford to occupy Shepherdstown. Shortly thereafter, President Lincoln cited General McClellan’s inaction after Antietam as a primary cause of his dismissal on November 8. In fact, the Union Army built Fort Duncan just downstream, to further protect Harper’s Ferry and the C&O Canal. The fort overlooks a Canal boat loading lock, the 1799 Dam 3, and a Canal boat loading station and warehouse across the river. Google maps has the location!
As always, these efforts are made possible thru generous donations from Battlefield Supporters! It’s ‘History worth learning!’
Mike Nickerson
President
Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association
304-995-6975
sbpa1862@gmail.com
Learn more about Witness Trees from Smithsonian Magazine: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/these-five-witness-trees-were-present-at-key-moments-in-americas-history-180963925
Purchase a Membership in the Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association as a unique gift lasting year round and possibly longer! Intrigue the history buff in the family with an introduction to ‘The Lost Battle’ and discover fascinating stories from right here in WV.
Donations can be made through PayPal on our website at Become A Member, or mailed to the SBPA at P.O. Box 1695, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.
Thank you in advance for your support in 2026! The SBPA is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization and all contributions are tax deductible.