Community Corner

Town Prepares For Re-Enactment Of Battle Of Vienna

Friday, Saturday dedicated to commemoration of Civil War event

If you see a large train making its way into town at the end of this week -- or hear the roaring cry of angry troops on Saturday -- don't be alarmed.

Historic Vienna Inc., The Town of Vienna and several re-enactment groups are joining forces to recreate the Battle At Vienna, an 1861 encounter that marked the first time a railroad was used tactically in war.

The Battle of Vienna was a Confederate attack on Union soldiers as they entered the town by train on the present day W+OD trail next to the Community Center. It was the fifth "skirmish" of the Civil War, and many historians believe it was a precursor to the First Battle of Manassas.

Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The recreation of that battle will take place largely on the fields next to the Community Center, with the encampment set up along the front of the building. The Town will bring in two cannons for the event and set them off as part of the re-enactment, said Cathy Salgado, director of Parks and Recreation. They'll also bring in a replica of the original train, on loan from the Town of Strasburg, Va., which is building it for their own celebrations.

The battle, troop encampment and living history demonstrations are the "Signature Event" for the town's observation of the Civil War Sesquicentennial. State-wide, towns and counties will hold events and activities for the war's 150th anniversary throughout the next four years.

Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The last time the Town planned Civil War celebrations was in 1986, during the 125th anniversary of the war, HVI President Anne Stuntz said. Stuntz still remembers the town's 100th celebration of the Civil War in 1961, and hopes that this year's celebrations will exceed even that.

"I'll never forget it, it was so exciting. There was nothing like it before or after," Stuntz told Vienna Patch in the early stages of planning. " And that’s what we can offer our town now."

While the battle is set for 6 p.m. on Saturday, there are a number of opportunities for residents of all ages to take part in the weekend.

Here's what to expect:

Friday

Vienna Town Green

6:30 p.m. Evergreen Shade, Period Music

7:30 p.m. Civil War Stories, Jim Lewis, Local Historian, Hunter Mill Defense League

Saturday

Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St S.E.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exhibitors Booths Open (Cherry Street)
10 a.m. Civilian & Military Encampments Open
The 5th Regiment ANV, 17th Virginia Infantry Regiment, Company G,
The Magnetic Telegraph Company & The Dixie Rose Relief Society.
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Demonstrations To Include Quilting Bee, Telegraph
Communications, Period Games, Period Attire, Cosmetics and
Hair Styling, Knitting, & Cooking
10:30 a.m. Infantry Demonstrations On The Half Hour
11:00 a.m. Artillery Demonstrations On The Hour (Beginning at 11 a.m.)
Conducted by Stribling’s Battery
1:00 p.m. “Women in the Civil War” Presented by Dr. Cynthia Jacobs Carter
2:00 p.m. Civil War Train Replica, Presented by The Town of Strasburg
5:00 p.m. Battle Formation
6:00 p.m. Reenactment of “The Battle of Vienna” (will take slightly less than 30 minutes)
7:30 p.m. Civilian & Military Encampments Close to Public

Exhibitors booths include local organizations like Historic Vienna Inc, Ayr Hill Garden Club, the model railroaders, and some local historians, Stuntz said.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here