Descendants Steal Spotlight at Civil War Talk

Originally published November 2019 · p. 9

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va.— Ben Trittipoe and Marti Hall Sell stole the show at a recent Civil War program about historic houses and Civil War activity along the Blue Ridge Mountains at Snickers Gap in Loudoun County Va. The event was held at B Chord Brewery within sight of Snickers Gap where U.S. Route 7 crosses the Blue Ridge Mountains. Ben told of his great-great grandfather, Lieutenant Jacob Engle of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry and Marti questioned him about the well being of her great uncles, the Hall boys, who were privates and served in the Twelfth. The exchange came as part of a discussion about Major General Jeb Stuart’s numerous forays through Snickers Gap, after Sharpsburg in 1862 and Gettysburg in 1863. Ben, the adjutant of the Clinton Hatcher Sons of Confederate Veterans camp in Leesburg, was able to update Marti about her relatives. She also has a great grandfather who apparently rode with John Singleton Mosby’s Forty-Third Battalion in the same general area. After the war, Ben’s greatgreat grandfather inherited approximately 400 acres about two miles from Harper’s Ferry, WV. In January 1867, Jacob Engle purchased 50,000 bricks at $3 per thousand ($150) that were part of the U.S. Arsenal and Armory at Harper’s Ferry, paid $50 to have the bricks cleaned, then used them to build his home “Alta Vista.” The house was completed in 1869 at a cost of $3,094.37 according to family records. The two-story, seven room house has an attached kitchen. Ben’s cousin, Kenna Banks and her husband Neill live in the house as part of a working cattle farm. Daughter Tiffany, and son Tim, both of whom have their own houses nearby, help with the family business.