Grove National Historic park. Now, it is time to pause aand reflect on the o magnitude of what happened here 150 years ago. To set the stage for this commemoration, i would like to super intendant jim northrup to say a few words. [applause] well, good evening. As amy said, my name is jim northrup. It is my great privilege to serve as the superintendent. To join with amy and at Belle Grove Plantation to welcome you and thank you for coming to this the important element in 150th anniversary events here at cedar creek. Place, gathered at this in this moment, to remember exactly what happened here. Those remember all of who were killed or wounded on this battlefield. On october ou know, 19, 1864 a great battle was fought here. A battle that secured the valley for the union, and a battle that is credited with propelling Abraham Lincoln to reelection. We also talk a great deal about the interesting tactics ociated with the battle risky surprise attacks, the Great Success of the Confederate Forces in the famous ride from winchester, and the union counterattack. But what we dont talk about quite as much are the lives of the young men who fought here. Men, from ely 46,000 twentyfive states seventeen eight for the and confederacy. Approximately 1000 of whom were killed or mortally wounded on this ground. With another 7600 wounded or captured. The secondlargest and the second bloodiest battle fought in the Shenandoah Valley. In this ning, we gather signals setting with in the distance, and the beautiful belle grove behind us, to se remember those men, their bravery and their sacrifice, and the impact of the loss of their lives and their families that lasted for generations. Creek and belle grove National Historic park are not just about this battle. It is a park that tells the of the f this part Shenandoah Valley from native use of this landscape through a ettlement rich agriculture period and the civil war and beyond. But today, we take a moment to only one thing to honor the men who fought and died here at cedar creek. We must never forget. Welcome, and take you for joining us. [applause] ago at this moment, this field would have been filled with union camps. Soldiers would have been sitting around the fire, talking about what has been going on. Perhaps who would be the best candidate for the president ial election in three weeks. Would lincoln be reelected . Would mcclellan be the better choice . Which candidate would bring the end to the war . At the same time that the here at atmosphere was belle grove, the environment was completely different over at fishers hill. The air at fishersville was filled fishers hill was probably filled with electric energy. Having their last meal before they would be marching through the night to camp unaware hhere at belle grove. Hundred and fifty years ago tomorrow, this landscape will are wrapped with the sounds of war. Him was will set with 1000 men lying in this field. By tomorrow evening, the union the iers will return to camp here victorious, but solemn. What took place here has changed the course of the Shenandoah Valley for the rest of the war. At this place, we find the last major battle of the valley. That not only secure this quarter for the union, boosted votes for lincolns reelection, and contributed to the end of the war. This place here, in the Shenandoah Valley, has significance for our local community, the commonwealth, and the nation. It affects our farreaching and forever remembered. To recognize the impact of the battle of cedar creek on the commonwealth of virginia, the governor has issued a proclamation recognizing tomorrow as the 150th anniversary. Here to read the proclamation, my pleasure to introduce kristin laise, the executive director of belle grove. [applause] in the Authority Vested by the constitution of is hereby tthere officially recognized the 150th anniversary of the battle of cedar creek. Where as the events of the left an r have oon our e mark commonwealth, and where as the events surrounding the war and the word itself led to the ultimate abolition of slavery, and where as the fertile Shenandoah Valley the bread of the confederacy campaigns epeated control over or its resources and access to during the civil war, and whereas the army of the valley under the direction of Lieutenant General early initiated a surprise attack at on the Early Morning of october 19, 1864 the unprepared d. C. , and my back to as Major General sheridans bold ride from winchester to the front tto rally the army of the shenandoah forever cemented his atus in American History as an iconic military general. And whereas the union army of aunched a doah l successful afternoon counterattack that marks the end of the confederate control of the Shenandoah Valley. And whereas more than 1000 union and confederate men were killed or captured that day. And whereas the deceased of the in the shenandoah was a turning point that led to preservation of our union, and the beginning of the end of our nations bloodiest conflict. Whereas 150 years later, virginia recognizes the ificance of the battle of cedar creek, aand the outcome of the american civil war. I do hereby re, recognize october 19, 2014 as the 150th anniversary of the battle of cedar creek in our commonwealth of virginia. And i call this observance to the attention to all of our citizens. [applause] thank you, kristin. Tonight, it is my distinct honor to introduce our keynote speaker. Ong list of accolades distinctions to read about, i want to rst ones share our that he is a passionate scholar on the battle of cedar creek. Supporter of the spark, of this park, and an active participant in chairing the history of this place. A professor of history at the Community College here in town. Editor of author and eight books, including the g book the battle of cedar creek. D of rves on the boar director for the current battlefield association. To is my extreme honor introduce johnson noyalas. [applause] thank you, amy. Professor who has spent about the past decade of my professional career and writing about commemoration here in the Shenandoah Valley, i feel a of honor and stand here this evening as part of a chain of commemorations or go back to 1880s oon this landscape. 120th eterans from the new york infantry gathered on the Cedar Creek Battlefield, to the regimental monument a monument not too far from us here veterans from the regiment observed i spot t believe there is a on this continent where more for the interest of a nation was concentrated than here at cedar creek. While some individuals might inclined to think that this veteran exaggerated cedar place in history, one could certainly argue that because of what was at stake the Union War Effort in the autumn of 1864, cedar creek is if for a moment one of the most important places on the north american continent. Among all the battles fought in Shenandoah Valley, none achieved more significant had wider and consequences then cedar creek. Here, 150 autumns and permanently the Shenandoah Valley from confederate control. The valley harvest, what was left of them, after the destruction of the burning available to feed the Confederate Forces. Union victory here 150 autumns the generals d iconic reputation, while helping eously president Abraham Lincoln secure his bid for reelection in november. Success at cedar creek, 150 autumns ago, also proved a crucial turning point the civil war, as with the valley secured, the region could no longer be used nue of a vision or a diversionary theater of war for Confederate Forces. The unions success at cedar creek also meant that freedom the regions slaves a freedom that proved rather to uous and uncertain due the backandforth nature of the shenandoah n valley now stood on firmer ground. Although, africanamericans would still confront obstacles in the conjuring decades, to promise of Abraham Lincolns emancipation proclamation. Beyond the mountains which defined the Shenandoah Valley, news of cedar creek but hope to those in the north for ultimate and the sobering reality to individuals in the south that the confederate experiment would ultimately end in defeat. In one of his many chronicles the american civil war, prizewinning catain imagined a scene, where we now stand in front of the majestic house that looms behind me. Scene where bed a general sheridan, after the cedar creek was over, was leaning against the confederate cannon. Peering out into the distanceat the flickering campfires of the army of the shenandoah. Bruce so eloquently captured what victory at cedar creek meant to the Union War Effort. He wrote the sun had gone down. The fight was over. And the army was no rest for keeps. The war in the Shenandoah Valley had been one. The valley, these armies could not have hoped to hold richmond much longer. While this battle, with the a surprise of earlymorning assault of a inferior army size, t an army twice her sheridan from winchester an event art rtalized in poetry and rallying of the union forces aand an afternoon counterattacked, which drove who had fought s stubbornly, south. Cedar creek, indeed, proved to point ignificant turning in the conflict, and an omen of sunset for the confederacy. Which this pe upon a landscape red which witnessed thousands of men become casualties reminds us of the very tragic the american civil war. Sometimes as we stand upon the such as this one, one that is usually cloaked in the quietness broken only by the sounds of nature, we forget how bloody our american iliad was. A conflict which claimed the 3 4 of 1 nearly million americans. Many of the men who fought in rest of this field blue and gray had their whole lives in front of them. Interrupted, aand sadly, interrupted. College professor who teaches students who are the same age as many of those soldiers on this hallowed i pause to wonder about what might have been. What might have become. The time of the battle, he was twentyseven years old when he breathed his last breath. One also wonders what might of the educated name is lowe, whose emblazoned mortally wounded, like his confederate counterpart. The civil war ter ended, a short biography of s published, along with ninetyfive others in the harvard memorial biographies. A series edited by union turned author, thomas whitworth. His his publication, a dow sent a copy to wellknown scottish intellectual, thomas carlyle. Long admired by her now late husband. After thomas received and read note to ned a his widow, which capture not only the tragic essence of his loss of life, but the general tragedy of our civil war. A tragedy we must never forget, and always commemorate. Would need a it heart, much harder than mind, not to recognize the high and noble spirit that dwelt in the junkman. The heroic dwelt in these young men. Their heroic and virtues. The only deepens me to sorrow tragedy of the briefest of each of the lives. While this battlefield can be viewed as a place or a turning a int in a conflict, where as tragic landscape with men who had so much potential cut a place that also reinforces Robert E Lees history that t is teaches us to hope. Fought in cedar creek iin 1864 and survived would have never fathomed that just nineteen years after the battle, men who had one shot at other would come back as part of a united country. In unbreakable nation welded with blood and fire, tto remember, contemplate, and commemorate. When the members of the Veterans Association to the eir excursion Shenandoah Valley on the anniversary of the campaign, they visited all of the battlefields of that campaign, including this one. Entertained by the owners of belle grove, the veterans their old battle lines, delivered remarks of commemoration, and walked sidebyside with confederate veterans. Served in the army and veteran to call the Shenandoah Valley home. When the sheridan Veterans Association return two years to dedicate a me of if nt to the exploits vermont infantry, a spirit of True National healing prevailed. A spirit that does not require to forget the past, but not let the past greatest thing that present nor paralysis for the future. While that block was simple and was intended to commemorate the morning. A morning with the regiment lost nearly 3 4 of its men in approximately 30 minutes. It also stood as a testament to henri, and , kurds, experiences of sacrifice courage, and shared experiences of sacrifice. One noted the historic purpose this monument as a National Monument to healing. As a monument will serve keystone of eternal feeling between us. Be an everlasting covenant. Be grounds for hope that the future of our beloved country may be worthy of its glorious past. As we commemorate the battle of cedar creek this evening, this d can teach us and generations not only about the civil wars most significant in the Shenandoah Valley, but it can instruct us heroism, hing such as to duty, and forgiveness. All those men they have earned the right, along with battlefield, to be remembered not only once every quarter of a century, but every year. Fitting this remarks to close my the veteran ds of of the Second Infantry Division from ohio. Of the grand ion Party Reunion in cleveland, ohio thirtyseven years after this battle he penned a poem simply entitled, cedar creek. Words cut powerfully across time as to why we much always commemorate, preserve, and learn from this battlefield landscape. Wrote, in part confronting each other like too war hat they, battered armies iin grim silence lay across the Shenandoah Valley that october day. These veterans were all that the word can apply. The bravest of man, they fear demanded, not die, but faced the monster with color swung high and undaunted i. They had done it again and again. Flower of this nation there that day, and that army in blue that army in gray, and took their position in battle array. They wheeled into their places too soon. But as evening closedend, each battle scarred host, do down it shades, all hope seems to be lost as they slept beneath a pale waiting moon. The battle was waged with a lor that no mortal can tell. Charge back and forth in rage, while led brave man fell. Cheers and tears ffor each hero who found there, a grave. Rust may destroy sword and gun. Permit e, in conclusion, me to say that whoever took that battle that day, wwhether wearing the blue or the gray, will never forget cedar creek. We regret grows such great men die. Thank you. [applause] thank you, jonathan. As we have heard, it is a sacred place that we remember. The war weary soldiers who kept fighting to enter their beliefs were protected. We remember the soldier to fail here at our feet. Who took the last breath in this field. Looked upon this landscape aas their last sight. We remember their families, who or iowa or r georgia, who were waiting for news of their safety. News that never came. We are here to remember our ancestors and descendents. Our own. Who sacrificed everything, so that we may continue to live in where all are y free, where all can stand up and express themselves, and all can stand together as one. We have many people in the audience tonight who have connections to cedar creek. Union and ndents of come derate soldiers hhave in e this weekend to follow their ancestors footsteps to the landscapes they saw, and to understand the importance of what happened here. I would like to ask any descendents of cedar creek soldiers to stand at this time. [applause] thank you for being here. Tradition, at belle grove, to present a the anniversary every year to honor the soldiers, families, and communities who battle of ted by the cedar creek. That e going to continue tradition this evening. In just a moment, the commanders will come forward and present a memorial wreath. Jeanette or general make the presentation, i will to for a moment of silence remember and honor the and ces reconciliation that has happened here on this battlefield. [singing] [singing] [singing] [applause] present arms thank you. Our commitment to this place is the activities this weekend, and your presence this evening. The power and the number of people here is directly related to our power and ability to keep the memory alive. Keep this place preserved. Has taken countless people through the decades to make sure that this place is here. Private citizens, local community groups, nonprofit organizations, and government worked together to create cedar creek and belle grove National Historic park. And to keep the preservation work going. It is an ongoing effort that to support the cause and support the legacy of this place. One organization who is taking is d in honoring the history the heritage area known as journey through hollow ground. Their preservation efforts spans from charlottesville to pittsburgh. In commemoration of the centennial of the civil war, journey through hollowed grounds have taken on an impressive project that you will hear about shortly. My pleasure to introduce the National Advisory council. Known for his sweeping my il war films, it is pleasure to introduce ron maxwell. [applause] hi. Are your teeth chattering at . I do not know how you all could sing so beautifully in this cold s. Goodnes if it keeps getting colder, it of a few nights aas we were filming the battle of fredericksburg. We filmed it on december 13, a e night there was confederate nodding there. You were with us, werent you . Well, im very proud to