The Battle of Waynesboro, Va, was fought in March 1865. Phil Sheridan was finishing up his 'work' in the Shenandoah Valley as Grant was 'tightening the noose' around Petersburg. Confederate General Jubal Early had taken his remaining troops through Staunton toward Charlottesville, with a short stop at Waynesboro to pick up some cannon and supplies. Sheridan came into Staunton ready to continue on to Lynchburg, but sent Custer toward Waynesboro to assess what hazard Early could pose to his rear. The assessment turned into a short but decisive battle. Early himself escaped, but he left behind over 1000 soldiers, 11 guns and over a dozen colors. The Confederate Army in the Valley was no more.
On March 6 & 7, 2010, the Waynesboro Heritage Museum will host the 145th Anniversary Battle of Waynesboro Weekend. Set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains this will be an event to start off the season with a bang! Saturday's scenario will be the Reenactment of this historic battle. Sunday's scenario will be a recreation of the actions of the 17th Va Battn of Cavalry against the 2nd Michigan Infantry at Second Manassas. During this rear-guard action, Major William Patrick was mortally wounded defending Jackson's wagon train and rear. It on Major Patrick's land this event will take place, and a special service will be held at his grave in the family plot.
