Historic Blenheim Hosts Christmas In Camp Family Event

By Nancy Jennis Olds · Originally published March 2016 · p. 18

Drummer Ryan LeVault from Herndon, Va., with the 13th Virginia Infantry, Co. I, leads the troops through drill while families watch.

Historic Blenheim Hosts Christmas In Camp Family Event By Nancy Jennis Olds FAIRFAX, Va. — Capt. Chris Hoehne, commander of the 17th Virginia Infantry, Co. D, Fairfax Rifles, lifted his sword and shouted out orders as the soldiers stood at attention, muskets by their side. The colorful array of little kids and big kids wearing kepis and uniforms, winter coats, fancy dresses or comfortable sportswear, and carrying wooden muskets, and adults in butternut uniforms shouldering reproduction muskets, did an about face and marched. Proud parents and friends took photos and videos as the kids learned how to drill at the Historic Blenheim and Civil War Interpretive Center family friendly Christmas in Camp event. Evergreen Shade provided period music. Among many other activities, children could leave their own graffiti on a large paper wall at the Interpretive Center. This was what really happened at the historic home when Union troops occupied it in 1862 and 1863 as a reserve Union hospital. The well-preserved “diary on walls” includes signatures, drawings, poetry and whimsical sayings. House tours are limited to the first floor which has graffiti on the walls and along the staircase. The attic graffiti and second floor are not open to the public. However, the Civil War Interpretive Center, a separate building on the site, contains a full-scale replica of the attic with graffiti. It also has space for exhibits, presentations and a gift shop. One of the soldiers who left his name was Warren Lee Goss, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who survived Andersonville Prison and published his experiences in The Soldier’s Story. The Willcoxon family returned to their home after the Civil War. They whitewashed the downstairs walls, but made no attempt to cover the attic graffiti. In 1999, the City of Fairfax purchased the 12acre property. It is on the Northern Virginia Civil War Graffiti Trail and National Register of Historic Places.

Paul Goss of the 17th Virginia Infantry, Co. D, right, helps Rebecca Reynolds, 5, from Vienna, Va., play soldier.

Photos by Nancy Jennis Olds

Drummer Ryan LeVault from Herndon, Va., with the 13th Virginia Infantry, Co. I, talks about Civil War musicians with brothers Jack Moreth, 7, and Daniel, 6, from Annandale, Va.

Making history by displaying their own graffiti in Blenheim, where real soldier graffiti is preserved, are, from left, Fairfax, Va., sisters Leah Ogletree, 8, and Maddy, 7.

The Hanna family from An Annandale, Va., gets some musket lessons from Ed Kihm of the 17th Virginia Infantry, Co. D, Fairfax Rifles. From left are Theodore, 9, father Mark, Zackary Hanna, 6, and mother Annette.