Oakleigh Manor War Between the States Bi-annual encampment weekend

History of the Oakleigh Event In Winter of 2001 Bob Shambaugh owner of Oakleigh Manor approached the 5th Virginia Infantry Co. K to see if they would be interested in doing an encampment on his property.  The members of the 5th immediately repsonded with a resounding yes, to be able to have an event on a local historical site related to the Stonewall Brigade.  The date was set for thr third weekend in August 2002 and when the time came 22 reenactors took part.  That year was a Confederate only living history, as Mr.Shambaugh did not want Federals there as there was no Union troops on site during the war other then 8 Yankee prisoners.   In 2002 there was a medical demonstraion, a mortar firing, sutlery, cooking demonstrations, infantry drill, church service, and skits including mail call, payday, and the court martial and exacution of a deserter.  In 2003 the event followed the same lines, but this year there was a ladies tea.  In 2004 there was a change as Federals (1st WV Cav.) were invited for a skirmish, there was an artillery firing, and a night skirmish.  Starting in 2004 a barberess impression was added doing shaves and hair cuts for the troops.  In 2005 there was a medical demonstartion that included an amputation.  The living history skits are big hit, as well as the skirmish, sutler, and artillery when available.  Each year Mr. Shamabugh gives house tours, and troops place flags on veterans graves on Saturday evening each year.  In 2005 between 40 and 50 reenactors took part in the event.  In 2006 there was a few new faces and exciting events including an artillery talk/ demonstration, and talks on the Bath-Romney Campaign.  Although the date of the event has changed a few times, everyone who participates reenactor or spectator enjoy's themselves a great deal.

After 6 years the event committee for this event has opted to a new bi-annual format.  This was done for several reasons, one to give the public more tiem between events so as not to get bored with the same old thing.  Also to give more time to plan a better program for the event, and to give the event committee time  between events to prevent burn out.  in 2007 public attendence had dropped dramatically from several hundred to less the 100, even with new things being implimented including a cadle light tour of the camps.  We hope that this new format makes this event stronger, and we appologize for any inconvience this may have caused.  Thank you!

2009 Event Plans are underway for thel event. This year there will be *Infantry demonstrations. *Artillery Demos *Skirmshes each day. *Church service *Sutlery *House Tours *Visits from Generals Jackson and Garnett Living history skits including: Camp Life Pay Day Mail call

*Reenactor Info* This event is by invitation only! For more information please contact Captain Robert Ambrose of the 5th Virginia co. K csa5va@yahoo.com

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