Rob's Historic Sites

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...