Living History Event at Ben Lomond

[Cornfed]

Type: Living History Event

Where: Ben Lomond House, Manassas, Va.

When: July 18-19, 2009

The purpose of this event is to interpret one of the field hospitals following the Battle of First Manassas. Our primary focus is to recreate the history and present it in a unique way to the public. Private Edward A. Craighill of Company G, 2nd Virginia Infantry under the direction of Surgeon Hunter McGuire, established the field hospital at the Ben Lomond House. The event will feature a first person interpretative program focusing on problems incurred by the fledgling CS Medical Department as it attempted to meet the challenge of caring for wounded following the first major battle of the Civil War. Accounts in “Confederate Surgeon: The Personal Recollections of E. A. Craighill” will also be brought to life in the program.

The program will be based on concepts from the highly acclaimed “You Are There” television show of the 1950’s hosted by Walter Cronkite. A modern day news reporter will provide an introduction and then accompany the group of visitors through a series of “scenes” situated outside and inside the house. The news reporter will interview “impressionists” within the scenes to gain an understanding of the situation and to flesh out the theme. The program will be conducted several times throughout the weekend. Due to the small rooms within the house, each program will be limited to 20 visitors and the public will be asked to make reservations in advance.

The Site: The Ben Lomond House is on about 5 acres in Manassas, Va., about 3 miles from the Manassas National Battlefield on Sudley Manor Road off of Business Rt. 234. The house was built in 1832 and was known as the Pringle House during the Civil War.

Needed: living historians to portray:

·Soldiers – as many as we can get. Most will portray wounded but there will be a few who will portray “worried comrades” who have come to check on their pards. These positions can be rotated so no one gets stuck being wounded all the time.

·The Pringle family – Andrew, age 81, Andrew, age 40, and Thomas, age 31. The Pringles were Scottish immigrants and farmers. They sub-let the property from Benjamin Thornton of Orange County, Va., who had leased it from the owner, Benjamin Tasker Chinn. Mr. Pringle ran large herds of Merino sheep on the property. The sheep had been brought to Ben Lomond and other Chinn farmsteads in the 1840’s. As research indicates, the Pringles remained at the house while it was being used as a field hospital.

·Medical Steward E. A. Craighill (Harry Aycock)

·Captain William Lee (20’s) (severely wounded and died in the house)

·The lovely young wife of “Captain Lee” who was by her husband’s side when he died.

·Charles Wesley Andrews, Protestant Episcopal clergyman

·Ms. Lee - don't know anything about her at this time, but apparently a relative of Capt. Lee. According to the Andrews’ letter, she accompanied him, along with “Archy” to Manassas Junction.

·Archy. - That is all we know about his name, no other info at this point. Perhaps a friend or relative of the Lee family. He accompanied Ms. Lee and Andrews to Manassas Junction.

·Several male and female civilians portraying curious neighbors

Background: Craighill graduated from the Univ. of Penn. Medical School in March, 1861. Soon after the firing on Fort Sumter, he enlisted as a private in Co. G, 2nd Va. Infantry and eventually assigned to the field medical corps under Dr. Hunter Holmes McGuire in June '61. As there were essentially no medical duties to perform, Craighill joined his company and participated as a private-under-arms at 1st Manassas. Immediately following the battle, he set out to take care of the wounded and under Dr. McGuire's direction, soon established a field hospital at the Ben Lomond house, a couple of miles from the battlefield. He referred to the house as the "Pringle House" as three men whose last name was Pringle were renting the farmstead and were present at the time.

The entire house and grounds will be available to participants throughout the event. You will be able to stay in the house at night if you choose. Good early war impressions are most favorable for this event and quality civilian impressions as well.

Again, the focus of this event is not on ourselves and obtaining an "immersion type experience" but on conducting a unique and interesting program for the public. No registration fee.

Any questions?

Phil Maddox
Stonewall Brigade

[Barry]

Mr. Maddox,

Attended the Bristoe Station battle.

Will try to be there for this one.

Mike Turner.

[Cornfed]

Mike,

I'll keep you in the loop and provide more details soon.

Thanks,

Phil

[GStacy]

Captain Lee's wife was Lilly Parran Lee, of Shepherdstown, WV. Capt. Lee was a good friend of J.E.B. Stuart's, and Stuart evidently promised to look after Mrs. Lee after Capt. Lee's death. She became his confidante, he grieved over his daughter's death to her since he didn't want to further depress his wife, and he willed her his gold spurs when he died May 12, 1864. Those spurs still exist in a private collection somewhere.

[Cornfed]

That's right. Capt. William F. Lee was wearing those same spurs when mortally wounded at 1st Manassas. I believe that Stuart had given them to Capt. Lee when they were both in the U.S. Army and stationed in St. Louis. It is interesting that Stuart was wearing them when he died too.

[Cornfed]

Here is an updated list with more biographical information on the portrayals I hope to fill for the event:

Soldiers – as many as we can get. Most will portray wounded but there will be a few who will portray “concerned comrades” who have come to check on their pards

The Pringle family – The Pringles were Scottish immigrants and farmers. They sub-let the property from Benjamin Thornton of Orange County, Va., who had leased it from the owner, Benjamin Tasker Chinn. Mr. Pringle ran large herds of Merino sheep on the property. The sheep had been brought to Ben Lomond and other Chinn farmsteads in the 1840’s. As research indicates, the Pringles remained at the house while it was being used as a field hospital. In the 1860 census are listed two “free mulattos,” Edward Harris, 19 years old, and Henry, 15 years old, as farm laborers.

Andrew Pringle – age 81, His occupation was listed as a merchant in the 1860 census. Andrew Pringle operated a small store on the farm. The building that housed the store is still on the property. It was moved in the 1970’s to its present location from near the gravel road on the other side of the house. This road was in existence during the Civil War and was used by troops of both armies. In fact, Jackson’s brigade used the road on its march to the battlefield, July 1861.

Andrew Pringle – age 40. Listed as a farmer in the 1860 census.

Thomas Pringle – age 31 (b.1827, d. 1895). Buried in the Manassas City Cemetery on Rt. 28. Listed as a farmer in the 1860 census. Thomas assisted his father, Andrew, with the store and, in fact, research indicates that he may very well shouldered the major responsibility of the daily operation of the store. While not directly related to our event it is interesting to note that some of Mr. Pringle’s property was damaged and confiscated by Federal troops when the farm was occupied during March and April 1862. Thomas, a British subject, filed a claim after the war with the Mixed Commission on British & American Claims. Under the Treaty of May 8, 1871, British subjects were allowed to file claims for compensation with this commission. British subjects were better off than most residents in the occupied areas because of their neutrality, but were still at a great risk for loss of property. Consequently, part of the investigation focused on Pringle’s neutrality and whether or not he was a southern supporter. Whether or not Pringle acted as a CS sutler was severely scrutinized as well. Witnesses who gave depositions stated that they were “southern to the core” but described Pringle as neutral but had “sympathies with the South.” The Manassas Gazette and the Alexandria Gazette both reported that Thomas Pringle was awarded $564 in gold by the commission, however, records at the National Archives list the amount received on January 15, 1873 as $558 dollars for property taken by the United States.

Edward Harris – 19 years old in 1860 census. Listed as a farm laborer (hired help) and a free mulatto

Henry – 15 years old in 1860 census. Listed as a farm laborer (hired help) and a free mulatto. Most likely Edward’s brother. The Harris brothers apparently lived at the Pringle farm.

Harry Aycock as Medical Steward E. A. Craighill

Acting Lt. Col. William Fitzhugh Lee – Born on April 27, 1832 in Richmond, Va., the son of Rev. William F. Lee. He received his primary education in Shepherdstown. Graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in the class of 1853. Two years later he became a Lieutenant in the U.S. army. While in the U.S. army, Lee married Elizabeth “Lilly” Morgan Parran of Shepherdstown. Lee was on duty at the St. Louis arsenal when the Civil War broke out. Following Virginia’s secession, Lee resigned on April 30, 1861 to follow the fortunes of his State. Appointed captain in the Confederate army. As an acting lieutenant colonel, Lee was temporarily assigned to the 33rd Va. Infantry and participated in the battle of 1st Manassas with that regiment under the command of Col. Cummings. Lee received a mortal wound in the breast by a piece of shell during the charge. Taken to the field hospital at the field hospital at Ben Lomond (Pringle House). Most likely placed in the first floor parlor room. Died on July 29, 1861.

Elizabeth “Lily” Morgan Parran Lee– age 26, (b. Feb. 7, 1835, d. Jan. 22, 1916) of Shepherdstown. Described by Craighill as “the lovely young wife” of William Fitzhugh Lee. She was at her husband’s side when he died. Both are buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Shepherdstown, WV. For photos of the gravesite, see http://www.civilwaralbum.com/misc8/elmwood2d.htm

Edwin Gray Lee – cousin of William Fitzhugh Lee. Wrote a letter dated July 22, 1861 to his mother while sitting with Lee in his room at the Pringle House. I have a copy of the letter. Excerpt - “Poor Wm, shot thro the center of the breast bone. The ball drove in a button and cloth, but I don’t think is in there. I hear it is fatal.”

Jim Craft as Rev. Dr. Charles Wesley Andrews – (1807 – 1875) Clergyman of Trinity Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown, accompanied Mrs. Edwin G. Lee (Susan) and Archy to see Capt. Lee at the Pringle House. Andrews was about 54 years old at the time of 1st Manassas. He describes the scene; “I found acting Lieut Col. Lee with a mortal wound in the breast his young & beautiful wife lying by him almost as much prostrated as himself. He was a communicant of my church. In the room above was a cousin of my wife Lucian Page dying in great agony from a wound in the bowels. In the hall lay several more, one a venerable Georgian 65 years old pierced with many wounds, but cheerful and full of heart for his cause. Another noble looking man from the same state was so exhausted from a shot thro the lungs that he could not speak above a whisper…Some with death upon their faces spoke of wives & children whom they were no more to see….”

Susan Pendleton Lee – daughter of Confederate General William N. Pendleton and wife of Edwin Gray Lee. Married on November 16, 1856. They had no children. According to the Andrews’ letter, she accompanied Andrews, along with “Archy,” to Manassas Junction to see William F. Lee.

Archy. - That is all we know about his name, no other info at this point. Perhaps he is a friend or relative of the Lee family. He accompanied Mrs. Susan Lee and Andrews to Manassas Junction.

Lucian Page – 27th Virginia Inf. Regiment (?). Severe wound in the abdomen.

Dr. Thomas Page – Father of Lucian. He went to the field hospital to be with his son.

Additional male and female civilians portraying curious neighbors

[Cornfed]

Additional information on Edward Gray Lee and his wife, Susan Pendleton Lee:

Edwin Gray Lee – age 25, (b. May 27, 1836, d. Aug. 24, 1870) 2nd cousin of Robert E. Lee. Born at his family’s estate, Leeland, in Jefferson County, Virginia. He attended Hallowell’s school in Alexandria, VA and graduated from William and Mary College in 1852. Lee married Susan Pendleton, daughter of Confederate General William N. Pendleton, on Nov. 16, 1859. He earned his law degree in 1859 from Washington College. Lee entered Confederate service in April 1861 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 33rd Virginia Infantry. Soon elected 1st Lieutenant, served as an aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Thomas J. Jackson during the 1st Manassas campaign. Wrote a letter dated July 22, 1861 to his mother while sitting with Lee in his room at the Pringle House. I have a copy of the letter. Excerpt - “Poor Wm, shot thro the center of the breast bone. The ball drove in a button and cloth, but I don’t think is in there. I hear it is fatal.”

Susan Pendleton Lee – age 29, (b. Dec. 10, 1831, d. Dec. 10, 1911) daughter of Confederate General William N. Pendleton and wife of Edwin Gray Lee. Married on November 16, 1859 in Rockbridge Co., Va. They had no children. According to the Andrews’ letter, she accompanied Andrews, along with “Archy,” to Manassas Junction to see William F. Lee.

[LaraMichelle]

I would love to portray Lilly Lee, I'll have to see if my husband would portray Capt. Lee. We're both 23 and we both do well with first person.
I used to live in Manassas, that's how I got started into the living history. Sounds like a fun event.

Lara Michelle
The Homefront Society
lara.michelle@live.com

[Cornfed]

Lara Michelle,

Thanks! I sent you an email. - Phil

[Barry]

Mr. Maddox,

Here is my email -

rebelford8@yahoo.com

the one listed on here is my dads not mine, it will be easier to stay in touch through this one.

thanks,
Mike Turner

[Cornfed]

Thanks Mike!

[Cornfed]

Event planning is moving along. I am happy to announce that Noah Briggs will be the civilian coordinator and point of contact. If you had contacted me about participating as a civilian, please send a PM to Noah for further information.

We are very much in need of living historians to portray wounded soldiers. No blood and guts here as the event is portraying five days after the battle. Please contact me if you are interested.

Thanks,