At Mt. Zion Church
This "Historic Site in Journalism" is now identified by a marker just outside the cemetery at Mount Zion Church in Loudoun County, Virginia. It tells a sad story which begins:In this graveyard adjoining the church, on June 23, 1863, Harpers Illustrated Weekly's Alfred R. Waud, one of the Civil War's most renowned artists, dug the grave for the burial of his friend, Lynde Walter Buckingham, the chief cavalry correspondent for the New York Herald. Buckingham had spent the day of June 21 covering what would become one of the largest cavalry battles in U.S. history, in and around the villages of Aldie, Middleburg and Upperville. At the front with Union General Judson Kilpatrick throughout the June 21 fight, Buckingham was on his way to Washington with his account of the fighting when Confederate Partisan fighters under Major John Singleton Mosby's command overtook him and caused his horse to dash down a steep hill and throw its rider powerfully to the ground. Buckingham later died of injuries to his skull in a makeshift Union Army hospital within this church.(Click on the picture to see a larger version.)
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Lots of sad Civil War story. A truly difficult period in history. Looks like you live in a beautiful part of the country - hopefully, no major battles lately.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible find of a story. The Civil War is an endlessly fascinating chapter, so tumultuous and sad.
ReplyDeleteSad and interesting....I do love your historic posts. I miss Virginia and it's wonderful to see all the history again on your blog.
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