The Pickett Society's Tour of White Oak Swamp, Frayser's Farm and Malvern Hill Malvern Hill Farm as it appeared during 1862 as seen from the James River. On Saturday, September 27th, The Pickett Society will explore the battlefields known as White Oak Swamp, Frayser’s Farm and Malvern Hill. Our tour guide will be Bill Rhoades, a history enthusiast who has lived close to these battlefields for 20 years and has carefully studied what happened there in 1862. Our tour will include a section of private property very close to the site at Frayser’s Farm where Captain Charles Pickett, 1st Virginia Infantry, fell wounded June 30, 1862 with a minie ball in his knee. Bill explained his keen interest in these battlefields: “This tour will be unique in my conception of the last three battles of the Peninsular Campaign as a single battle that took place over three days on three adjacent battlefield areas, much like Gettysburg. Gettysburg saw three days of conflict in various areas around the Pennsylvania town and is best understood as a single battle. “Traditionally, the Battles of White Oak Swamp, Frayser’s Farm and Malvern Hill have been seen as distinct battles. I see them as aspects of the same battle. I want to deconstruct these battles to show how units of both sides fought each other, withdrew and relocated only to face one another again and again, day after day. While the Union army was retreating in a defensive strategy, individual Union regiments were effectively taking the offensive against the Confederates. At the same time, some Confederate commands that we would expect to be on the attack stayed put, fairly out of the action, almost as if in a defensive posture.” We will begin our event with a seafood luncheon at 11:30 A.M at Dockside Restaurant on the south bank of the James River. Dockside, less than a fifteen-minute drive from the battlefields, is located at 700 Jordan Point Road. After consuming our “rations,” we will meet at the Malvern Hill site to leave as many vehicles as possible, thereby shortening our battlefield tour convoy. The Dockside luncheon will offer one of the following: Fried flounder – fried scallops – fried shrimp – fried oysters – Broiled flounder – broiled scallops – grilled crab cake (please let us know which entrée you prefer) and French fries, cole slaw, bread and hushpuppies and Iced tea or coffee or water (alcoholic beverages are available for purchase by individuals) and Either New York style cheesecake or carrot cake. We will need to receive your reservation and choice of entrée by September 19th. Members’ cost for the tri-battlefield tour and luncheon is $29. The charge for guests is $35. Make checks payable to The Pickett Society and mail them to: Mrs. Billie B. Earnest 945 Banyan Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23462

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This page is http://www.pickettsociety.com/events/2008_09_27.html
Created: 02-28-08
Last modified: 02-29-08
For more information about the Pickett Society, please contact phwood@pickettsociety.com.