Writing Assignments

After completing their three-day stay in Richmond, the High School Historians returned home charged with the task of investigating their region’s involvement in the Civil War. Students were asked to look at their communities’ local history and explore the ways in which personal stories and individual perspectives shaped that region’s take on this national conflict. Below are the accounts collected by the students, describing the how Civil War shaped their own back yards.

Christopher Andrews
Smithfield High School, Isle of Wight County

Isle Of Wight County had a major influence on the Civil War. Established in 1634 as one of the original eight shires of the Virginia Colony, Isle of Wight County, with its quaint towns of Windsor and Smithfield, is rich in history and played a key role in the Civil War. The county served as a hiding place for Confederate soldiers and is known for its religious views. The newly remolded St. Lukes Church is still a place where people go and pray. Read More

Annie Bradford
Hermitage High School, Henrico County

When asked about how the Civil War has affected my community of Richmond, all I have to do is look around. The Civil War is an influence that has never waned in Richmond. I have to maneuver around the A. P. Hill grave and monument when going downtown. A Confederate earthen work stands in the middle of the parking lot where I shop for groceries. Read More

Wellesley Cardwell
Western Albemarle High School, Albemarle County

Although the Civil War ended almost a hundred and fifty years ago, it has caused a new struggle. How do we remember Confederate soldiers? Yes, they fought bravely for their beliefs, and many Americans can trace their heritage back to someone who fought for the Bonnie Blue. However, they did take up arms to break up the country. This question is especially pertinent in Virginia, which housed the capital of the Confederacy. Read More

Caroline Frost
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, City of Suffolk

Living in Virginia, I am surrounded by history dating back to America’s first English settlement in 1607. When I think about the most famous historic sites in Virginia, my thoughts immediately jump to Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Richmond. However, as I have learned, my hometown of Chesapeake proved to be important during the Civil War. Read More

Davis Gammon
New Kent High School, New Kent County

New Kent County, Virginia is a county filled with American History. The first, first lady, Martha Washington was born and raised in New Kent. In fact, it was on her late husband’s New Kent plantation, White House, where she met her future husband and President, George Washington. There is however; some speculation on the actual location where they were married. Read More

Nicole Jackson
Maggie Walker Governor's School, City of Richmond

The month of April 2010 marked the official declaration of Confederate History Month in the Commonwealth of Virginia by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell. The declaration had been previously refused by Democratic governors, and the issuing of the new commemorative month, honoring Confederate soldiers, only added fuel to lingering feelings of Virginia citizens. Read More

Chelsie Kuhn
Jamestown High School, Williamsburg-James City County

Even though Williamsburg is best known for its importance during the American Revolution, it also has a place in Civil War history. At Fort Magruder on the Richmond Road, the battle of Williamsburg took place; the north had 9,000 more troops than the south and used that to help force southern troops back toward Richmond. For the rest of the Civil War, Williamsburg and the College of William and Mary were occupied by Union soldiers. Read More

Gavin Ratcliffe
Western Albemarle High School, Albemarle County

The Rio Hill Skirmish occurred on February 26, 1864, in Charlottesville, Virginia. The skirmish occurred when Union general George A. Custer was sent into Albemarle County to destroy Confederate supplies and railroads as well as provide a diversion to a Union attempt to free POWs held outside of Richmond. Read More

Abigail Simon
Maggie Walker Governor's School, City of Richmond

Probably the most drastic effect the Civil War had on Richmond was the evacuation fire of April 2 and 3, 1865. The blaze completely destroyed most of the business district by the river and left many Richmonders destitute. Not too long after President Jefferson Davis left the city with the knowledge that Petersburg had fallen, the fires were started to keep powder, tobacco, and warships out of the hands of advancing Union troops. Read More