New Virginia Website Traces Ancestor's Path on Civil War Battlefields

"Walk in Their Footsteps"

Check out this new website at:

www.virginiacivilwar.org

Virginia Cavalry, Co. H Participates in the 11th Annual ITT Scout Safety Day

Members of the 14th Virginia Cavalry Co. H, provided hands-on equine training for the Horsemanship merit badge. Boy and Girl Scouts participated and learned all about horses, including: grooming, hoof care/cleaning, saddeling, bridaling, and riding. A short classroom was also given on horse fundamentals such as, identifying breeds, colors, hoof care, feeding and, training. Thanks to all our members who participate and special thank to Sandy Lucas for making the arrangements. Also special thanks to Mickey Helms Family and Sandy Lucas family for providing horses for the students to ride.

14th Virginia Cavalry, Co. H Joins Longstreet's Corps

Members, Jeff and Tammy Sexton, Micky Helms, Greg Morgan, Sandy Lucas and Gordon Garrett attened the 2011 Longstreet's Corps annual meeting in Winchester, Virginia. Our organization joined last year and was up for full membersip as well as several other units. We are happy to announce that we were voted in as full members. Our first year was very exciting and we look forward to this season with Longstreet's Corps. We have made many new friend and are gratefull for all their hospitality. For more information about Longstreet's Corps, visit: www.longstreetscorps.org.

Cousins Meet for First Time at Cedar Creek Battlefield.

Members of the 14th Virginia Cavalry were honored by a visit of descendents of W.B.F. Leech, a soldier in the original Second Rockbridge Dragoons, 14th Va. Cavalry. Mrs. Wallace from Florida and Mr. Timms from North Carolina, both contacted our website searching for information about their great grandfather. We were able to connect the two via e-mail and they came to Cedar Creek and met for the first time. Mrs. Wallace's son and grandchildren from Troutville, Va. were also present. What a thrill to have them in our camp. Our unit presented them with an official 14th Virginia Cavalry Co. H ball cap. You can learn more about W.B.F. Leech and this story by downloading our April and August newsletters. Click on "Headquarters" below. There will be more details and pictures in our next newsletter.

Members of 14th Virginia Cavalry, Provide Living History Program for Blue Ridge Elementary School in Ararat Virginia.

We really appreciate you and your friends doing the three programs for us last Friday. You did an awesome job - I'm sure you are a great teacher! Having the program at the park was a great idea. I do hope that you will be willing to come again next year. On behalf of all the students and faculty at Blue Ridge Elementary School, thank you.

Carolyn Deekens, Principal
Blue Ridge Elementary School
Ararat, VA

Town of Buchanan
Post Office Box 205
Buchanan, Virginia 24066


Dear Members of the 14th VA Cavalry Co. H Rockbridge Dragoons,

On behalf of the Town of Buchanan I wish to say thank you for your efforts to make this year’s Buchanan Civil War History Weekend a great success. With representatives from twenty seven units participating in the weekend’s activities, and, more than two hundred students from four area schools visiting on Friday, this was our largest event to date. From all accounts, this weekend's activities were a huge success and everyone was excited about the changes that were made to this year’s event.

“Thank you" does not seem adequate to let you know how much the Town appreciates the effort that your unit put forth towards the planning and execution of this year's Civil War History Weekend. We appreciate the time, talent, and materials that each of you shared with our community to make this year’s event memorable to our visitors.

On a personal note we wish to say thank you to Tommy Ransone and Mickey Helms for their efforts during the planning stages of this year’s event. Again, we cannot thank you enough for all of your work, best wishes for the coming year.

I look forward to working with you on next year's Civil War History Weekend.

Sincerely,

Harry Gleason
Downtown Revitalization Program Manager

Mark Cook Sends His Greetings to members of the 14th

Here's what I have been up to lately. I go to Coronado next week for scout swimmer school. I should be picking up Cpl. before the summer. Then I will be heading to South East Asia to fight pirates for the next six months. I cant wait to see everyone again, I should be home before I leave around the end of May or begining of June. I will try to send more pics later.
Mark

Christmas/New Years Meeting/Dinner

Due to the large snow fall on Dec. 21st our meeting was postponed until Jan. 2. We had a great turnout despite the cold temperatures. The food was wonderful, thanks to Ms Tammy and everyone who brought a dish. Several items to announce: Dues are now $50/yr. We voted to join Longstreets Corps, this is a trial period for one year. We need to participate in a minimum of two events. Our February meeting will be announced soon, we will discuss and vote on the events for 2010.

501 (c)(3) Public Charity Granted

The Internal Reveune Service has granted our 501 (c)(3) tax exempt status. This was a long process but one well worth the effort. Thanks to all of our members for your help in this process. This will allow us to grow and fullfill our charter.

Equine Day at Tractor Supply in Bedford

Members of the 14th will be in Bedford, Saturday Oct. 24 for Tractor Supply's Equine Day. See flier (PDF) for more information.

Fairwell Friend and Compatriot Frank Dickerson, Sr.

We are sad to report the passing of a good friend and compatriot, Frank Elmer Dickerson, Sr. Frank was a member of the Botetourt Artillery and Fincastle Rifles camps, Sons of Confederate Verterans. For his full obituary, visit this link:

http://www.fincastlerifles.com/Frank_Dickerson.html

John Scott awarded The Stonewall Jackson Medal from UDC

The 14th Virginia Cavalry Co. H, was asked to participate in the presentation of The Stonewall Jackson Medal to John Scott for all his work while Exe. Director of the Virginia Horse Center. The James S. A. Crawford Chapter, Virginia Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) awarded the medal with Margaret Ann Whittington, President presiding over the ceremony. Gathered at a campsite on the Virginia Horse Center grounds, General Robert E. Lee and members of the 14th Va. Cav. stood at attention while the award was presented. You can read more about this in the August edition of The Vedette. Congratulations John!

Living Hisotry at the Rockbridge County Fair

Members of the 14th Virginia Cavalry and Robert E. Lee, (David Palmer) and his staff presented a living history camp Friday and Saturday. The cavalry was seen by hundreds as it patrolled the grounds guarding General Lee. We also had many visitors,one of which we were delighted to see, was Trooper Jason Jenkins and his father Gene. Jason continues to improve from his surgery earlier this year. It was a good opportunity for the 14th to spend some time in it’s original company's backyard. You must read in the next issue of The Vedette about the 14th taking care of one low-down-no-good Yankee clown. Thanks to the Virginia Horse Center and John Scott for a great event.

From the Mailbox

Dear Fellow Reenactors,

Thank you for being a part of the Skirmish at Jeffersonville 2009. It was the biggest year we have had to date, and this is all because of your participation and efforts. We appreciate your support, encouragement, and involvement.

We also wanted to let you know that we have scheduled next year's reenactment for April 16, 17 & 18, 2010. We hope that you can come and be apart of this event.

Thank you, Historic Crab Orchard Museum's Family & Friends

Jason Jenkins Recovering at Lewis Gale Hospital

Jason is now at Lewis Gale Hospital in the rehab. dept. He is in Room # 414. Jason is doing okay. They have him up moving him around but he still has a ways to go. Jason still has the blood clot in his cartoid and the doctors still hope it will dissolve itself. Continue to keep the Jenkins family in your thoughts and prayers, We know they are leaning on the Lord right now.

Jason Jenkins is still in ICU…

The word form Jason's family is that doctors believe there is still a blood clot in the area of the grafted artery and he is not getting the blood flow they want… The doctors said it would be too risky to go back in and are in hopes that the clot will dissolve and take care of itself during the healing process…

Jason has moved his right arm and leg some but has a long recovery ahead.

Everyone keep him in your prayers!

To all of the volunteers who helped with this year's Civil War History Weekend

The phrase "thank you" does not seem adequate to let you know how much the Town appreciate the extraordinary effort you put forth towards making this year's Civil War History Weekend a success. The time, talent, and materials that each of you shared helped to make this year's event better than we could hope for. From all accounts, this weekend's activities were a huge success. The last group left around 7 p.m. As I continued to clean up around the Park, so many of the reenactors stopped on their way out to say thanks and express their satisfaction with this year's event.

On a personal note I want to say thank you, your willingness to volunteer was a key element to the weekend's success. Again, I cannot thank you enough for all of your work, best wishes for the coming year. I hope that you will consider working with us on next year's Civil War History Weekend.

Harry Gleason
Town of Buchanan’s Downtown Revitalization Program Manager

Update on Jason Jenkins

On Thursday April 23, Jason underwent 8 hours of surgery to replace a section of his carotid artery and after a few complications we are happy to report he is recovering in intesnive care. Our unit was at the reenactment of The Battle of Buchanan and Jason was on everyone's mind, he was the first mentioned in every prayer. Sgt. Helms kept in contact with the family and kept us all aware of his progress. Our thoughts and prayers are for Jason's full recovery.

Update on Jason Jenkins

Jason will undergo surgery on April 23 at the UVA Medical Center, the family ask you to remember Jason in your prayers. This is a very serious surgery for Jason and there is much concern. Know that all our prayers and thoughts are with you Jason and family.

March 21, 2009

Buchanan Elementary School

Members of the 14th  (Sergeant Mickey and Adjutant Sandy) again “took to the classroom”, this time at the Buchanan Elementary School.A gathering of 3 classes also heard from members of the Fincastle Rifles, SCV and the Jubal Early Chapter, UDC. Topics included heritage, flags of the period, diseases, infantry, artillery, teamsters, camp life, life on the home-front, and of course, Cavalry themes. The students included Anna Helms, who discovered that the way our ancestors kept from freezing during winter nights just left her cold.

Cloverdale Elementary School

On Tuesday January 20, 2009 members of the 14th gave a WBTS presentation at Cloverdale Elementary. Well attended by 4 classes and teachers the instruction covered an over view of the life and times of soldiers and civilians of the war period. The event involved members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) and Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) as well as the 14th Va. The Fincastle Herald reported the event with a photo but listed our name as the 19th Cavalry.

Greenbrier Middle School

The 14th Virginia Cavalry Co. H conducted its first War Between the States (WBTS) educational program. The event took place at Greenbrier Middle School, Lewisburg West Virginia. The students were all members of the school sponsored Civil War Club. Raymond Tuckwiller, John Cahoon and Sandy Lucas spoke to the enthusiastic students about the cavalry mission the equipment used and the tactics employed. Trooper Tuckwiller outlined local history, historical places and encouraged the students to research their own history for possible family connections to the soldiers of the period.