We received a note this week from a guest who came to Stevenson Ridge earlier this summer to explore the area’s Civil War history. We ended up as the first person to purchase a copy of our new book, Traces of the Bloody Struggle: The Civil War at Stevenson Ridge, Spotsylvania Court House by our historian-in-residence, Chris Mackowski. We pass along the note with the guest’s permission:
I received my copy of Traces of the Bloody Struggle and read it in one sitting. It really made clear to me the action around the ridge and the role it played in the battle. I’m on to Season of Slaughter: The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House now. I like the format of the books with the liberal use of maps, photos, etc.. It really brings the text to life.
Mary-Jo and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Stevenson Ridge, it is the perfect base camp for exploring the many Civil War sites in a short radius around the property. After we toured Spotsylvania with Chris, we made our way over to the Belmont Farm distillery then had lunch in Culpeper. We hit the Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitors Center on the way back. After a full day of touring, I settled into a rocker on the porch of the cabin just as the sun was setting. I put some Civil War instrumental music on my lap top, sipped my local Virginia whiskey, and watched as a thunder storm approached from the north west. It was easy to imagine the flashes and booms as a not so distant battle raging over the horizon. I sat contemplating and soaking it all in as the rain began to fall. Mary-Jo eventually rounded me up and made me come back in the cabin but it was a perfect ending to one of the best days I ever had in my quest to reconnect with the past.
My thanks to you and your colleagues who are keeping the past alive and accessible. We are already talking about another visit in the winter so we can end a day of exploration in front of a crackling fire, a rare treat for us Floridians. Best whishes and keep up the good work.
— Jeff
[NOTE: To order a copy of Traces of the Bloody Struggle, which is only available through Stevenson Ridge, contact us a cmack@stevensonridge.com]