Rob's Historic Sites

During the War Between the States (aka unCivil War), Burrel Hemphill was a slave in the household of the very wealthy bachelor, Robert Hemphill, who had been killed in The Battle of Seven Pines on June 13, 1862. Sherman’s troops had been stealing what they wanted and burning what remained. When they approached the Hemphill estate in February of 1865, they reportedly demanded that Burrell reveal the hiding places of the Hemphill family’s silverware, other valuables and money that had been hidden from them. In an attempt to coerce Burrell to talk, the Yankees tied a rope to his ankles and dragged him up and down the road by a horse, before simultaneously hanging and shooting him. Despite the Yankees best attempts, Burrell died without saying a word. This monument erected in his honor reads, "In memory of Burrel Hemphill, Killed by Union soldiers February 1865. Although a slave, he gave his life rather than betray a trust. He was a member of Hopewell." (More info found in l...

Visiting historic sites around Virginia related to the great John Tyler, 10th President of the United States and arguably the best President in US history (and my 5th cousin, 6x removed). “John Tyler is not a household name, but he should be; perhaps he should even be given a spot on some denomination of American currency. He was arguably the best president in American history—according to the Constitution as ratified. Tyler’s life and administration almost always come in near the bottom of presidential rankings because of his staunch defense of states’ rights both before and after he occupied the presidency, including his support for secession and the Confederate States of America… Tyler, more than any other president, took his oath of office seriously. He came closer to representing the proper mix of executive energy and Jeffersonian restraint that the ratifiers had argued the presidency required than any other man who held the office, either before or after his administration. T...

Here in Westminster, Maryland, the Neal boys were just 2 of the thousands of Americans who were imprisoned by Lincon’s Yankees simply for their “sympathies” or “opinions”. I’m sharing their story primarily because their historical marker was permanently removed, yet the plaque that marked the location of their home remains. Both their home and this historical marker are located on Main street where JEB Stuart engaged in Corbit’s Charge. Here’s an excerpt from the historical marker in Westminster, MD that is now missing. “A block away, at what is now 71 East Main Street, stood the Abner Neal house. In August 1862, Federal soldiers arrested sixteen Westminster residents as Southern sympathizers and escorted them to Baltimore for questioning. The group, soon released, included Neal’s two sons, Henry and Frank. The young men joined the Confederate army in September 1862, when Col. Thomas L. Rosser’s 5th Virginia Cavalry swept through Westminster during the Antietam Campaign. The Neals s...

Here's 4 different historical signs from 4 different states. They help illustrate and contrast how differently the northern Yankees behaved and waged warfare than southerners. I'm finally catching up on some pre-Covid travels & photos. Excerpt from the sign in Morganton, North Carolina: “Selina L Norwood wrote, “They [Yankees] tore everything to pieces at Uncle Avery’s, held pistols to the ladies’ heads, drove them out of the house and took what they liked.”” Excerpt from the sign in Doswell, Virginia: "The fighting also affected nearby civilians as Union soldiers plundered houses, carried off furniture and artwork, destroyed libraries, and scrawled graffiti on walls." Excerpt from the sign in Jackson, Georgia: "Federal [Yankee] stragglers looted the estate. Following their devastation there was little to eat at Sylvan Grove except scraps of potatoes and a little corn. The only furnishings remaining in the house were in Lucy Buttrill's room plus thr...

Here at Hartwood Church in Stafford County, Virginia, Union/Yankees appeared to be more interested in looting and destroying southern American churches than fighting a war. The historical markers in front of this church capture what happened here (see the full text at links below). A Yankee soldier was dismayed by what he found: “Myself and another … decided to take shelter at Hartwood Church, a small brick structure. On entering, we were struck with a number of texts and embellishments executed in charcoal on the walls. The seats have been torn out, the windows and doors smashed, and the walls covered with obscene characters and writings. A body of Union Cavalry did this dastardly desecration in the house of worship - a sufficient commentary on the characters of these dirty caricatures of patriots. No matter if it is a Rebel house of worship, its character should be a protection against vandalism. Such treatment of churches is a disgrace to the much-boasted civilization of th...

Here's a few stories from 3 different historical markers I've visited regarding how southern Americans/Confederates treated defiant border-state civilians waving Union flags. And, 1 story about how Yankees reacted. ------------------------- In Middletown, Maryland: Excerpt from the historical marker: As Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson rode through Middletown on September 10 1862, two very pretty girls with ribbons of red, white, and blue in their hair and small Union flags in their hands ran out to the curbstone, and laughingly waved their colors defiantly in the face of the General. He bowed and lifted his cap with a quite smile and said to his staff, “We evidently have no friends in this town.” –Henry Kyd Douglas, I Rode with Stonewall (this historical marker and others have since been removed). -------------------------------------------------------- In Frederick, Maryland, Excerpts from 2 historical markers: Marker #1: “Feisty local Unionists-mostly women-ta...

This historical marker in Kenbridge, Virginia is one of many that comments on the lack of respect Yankee troops had for private property, homes, businesses, and churches during the war. Northern/Yankee troops from distant states even looted and severely vandalized George Washington's own Pohick church near Mt Vernon! At least this church building wasn’t burned down like others in the area. It begs the question, who killed, plundered, and destroyed more American people and towns; British troops sent by King George III or Yankee troops sent by Lincoln? Excerpt from this marker: Federal raiders "pillaged public and private property. The plundering of St John's Church, from which a silver communion service was taken, especially outraged local residents... The residence of Captain William A Adams was robbed of every light article of value it contained, the furniture broken up, and the house then committed to the flames. We hear many other reports of valuable residences ran...