Why Were More Than 5,000 Men in Northern Virginia Mud?

The Reston Historic Trust will present a special 150th sesquicentennial program commemorating the Civil War.

 The program, “Sunstroke and Ankle-Deep Mud,” is Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609a Washington Plaza.

Much has been written about the Battle of Gettysburg and Lee’s Retreat, but little has been written about the arduous journey taken by tens of thousands of men, wagons and horses of the Union’s Army of the Potomac as it marched across Northern Virginia on its way to this historic battle.

Local historians Jim Lewis and Brian McEnany are pleased to present the ‘untold story’ of the Gettysburg Campaign. Portions of their recently released fully illustrated self-guided driving tour booklet will be presented.

Experience the incredible conditions the Union Army faced through the words of several of their soldiers: unbearable heat, torrential rains, forced marches, etc. before they reached the river, their final obstacle.

Learn more about how a famous Confederate cavalry commander accompanied by 5,000 cavalrymen and six guns, as well as the commander of the Army of the Potomac and his headquarters’ staff, passed near here within 30 hours of each other.  

For more information, call the Reston Museum at 703-709-7700, emailrestonmuseum@gmail.com, or visit www.restonmuseum.org.  

Space is limited, so come early.  Reston Historic Trust members have seating priority.