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On Wednesday in order to balance the state budget, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell announced a package of budget cutting proposals that include the closing of five (5) state parks. Specifically, the five state parks are Twin Lakes (Prince Edward); False Cape (Virginia Beach); Caledon (King George); Mason Neck (Fairfax); and Staunton River Battlefield (Charlotte and Halifax). If included in the final budget, these closures would take effect on Thursday, July 1, 2010. Governor McDonnell’s package of budget cutting proposals included the following explanations, "Decrease funding in the Department of Conservation and Recreation by closing five state parks and eliminating the associated wage staff ($1.0 million). Furloughs ($180.8 million) for state employees for up to five days in FY 2011 and an additional five days in FY 2012."
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Friday, June 25, 2010, marked the 146th Anniversary of the Battle of Staunton River Bridge. To remember and honor the valiant efforts of the Confederate soldiers and “old men and young boys,” who answered the urgent plea from Captain Benjamin Fairnholt to defend the Bridge from an approaching Union cavalry force under the command of Generals Wilson & Kautz, the Historic Staunton River Foundation, Inc. hosts a Commemoration of the Battle each year at the Staunton River Battlefield State Park. On Friday night, following a wagon-ride tour of the Battlefield, members of Cumming’s Battery Cape Fear Light Artillery demonstrated several “night” cannon firings in honor of the soldiers who fought at the Battle. Several events were held throughout of the day on Saturday: the Halifax Chapter 1321 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy presented several Military Service Award Medals; the Historic Staunton River Foundation presented two medallions to descendants of the Battle of Staunton River Bridge and Miss Savannah Ketchum, a 2010 graduate of Randolph-Henry High School and recipient of the Charlotte Grays 1964 Sons of Confederate Veterans, Robert C. Moates Scholarship, presented her winning essay, and representatives from the Foundation, UDC, and SCV laid memorial wreaths at the Bridge; Mr. Robert Dunkerly presented a lecture on “Weapons of the Civil War;” and re-enactors from 14th Virginia Infantry, Co. K. and Oliver’s Battery, 21st Virginia Co. provided a living history encampment. For more information on other upcoming events at Staunton River Battlefield State Park or to learn more the Foundation, please visit www.stauntonriverbattlefield.org; follow the Foundation on Facebook; or phone 434.454.4312. |
Janet Johnson, President of the Historic Staunton River Foundation (far right), presents Ms. Leslie Carter (far left) of Shepherdstown, West Virginia and Mr. Terence Carter of Irvington, Virginia (center) with Descendants of the Battle of Staunton River Bridge Medallions. The father and daughter are lineal descendants of William Henry Dillon, a private in Captain W. Hayes Oteys’ Company, Virginia Light Artillery, the Danvile Arsenal. Several months ago, the Foundation was notified by the Carters in their quest to find more information about their ancestor and verify several family legends for a biography Leslie is crafting. Leslie and her father, Terence enjoyed the Commemoration events and a tour of Mulberry Hill Plantation. If you or someone you know is a descendant of a soldier or “an old man or young boy,” who fought at the Battle, please contact the Foundation at 434.454.7157. |