File photo
By Matt de Simone
The Town of Buchanan and the Botetourt Artillery Chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans will host the 2025 Buchanan Civil War History Weekend April 25–27 at Buchanan Town Park. The announcement was made in a detailed release last week highlighting a busy schedule of living history experiences, period demonstrations, and heritage-focused activities designed to highlight the region’s Civil War legacy.
The weekend will feature military encampments, dramatic battle reenactments, heritage craft demonstrations, guest speakers, and more. The event aims to provide educational insight and historical context into life during the 19th century and Buchanan’s role in the conflict.
Weekend Highlights Include:
- Living History Camps & Demonstrations: Authentic Civil War encampments and heritage craft demonstrations will showcase the skills and traditions of the era.
- Buchanan History Displays: Curated exhibits and interpreters will present the town’s Civil War history.
- Skirmishes & Battles: A street skirmish is scheduled for Saturday at 12:30 p.m., followed by full-scale re-enactments of the Battle of Buchanan on Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
- Evening Festivities: Saturday evening will feature a bonfire and live period music by the Hard Tack & Sea Biscuits Band, with Geoff White on fiddle and Neil Burke calling for a traditional camp dance.
- Guest Speakers: Appearances by historical interpreters, including a portrayal of Jefferson Davis, will take place throughout the weekend.
- Sunday Worship: A traditional camp church service, led by Nick Iocca, will be held Sunday morning.
Schedule at a Glance:
Friday, April 25
- 10 a.m. – Registration & Living History Camp Open
- 7 p.m. – Artillery Demonstration
Saturday, April 26
- 8-10 a.m. – Breakfast at Wilson Warehouse ($12)
- 10 a.m. – Camps Open
- 11 a.m. – Officers Meeting
- 12:30 p.m. – Street Skirmish
- 2 p.m. – Guest Speaker at Pavilion
- 4 p.m. – Battle of Buchanan
- 6 p.m. – Re-enactors’ Dinner
- 8 p.m. – Bonfire & Camp Dance
Sunday, April 27
- 8-10 a.m. – Breakfast at Wilson Warehouse ($12)
- 10 a.m. – Camp Church Service
- 11 a.m. – Officers Meeting
- 1 p.m. – Speaker Jefferson Davis
- 1:30 p.m. – Battle of Buchanan
The 2025 Buchanan Civil War History Weekend invites the public and re-enactors to participate in a commemorative experience honoring the area’s historic past. Events will take place at Buchanan Town Park, with additional breakfast services held at the Wilson Warehouse located at 421 Lowe Street.
In last week’s release, the town shared a brief history about “Hunter’s Raid.” During the Civil War, the Town of Buchanan served as an important Confederate supply depot for shipment of agricultural produce and pig iron to Richmond via the James River and Kanawha Canal. Buchanan farmers provided the Confederate quartermaster with beef, cotton, yarn, and corn. Buchanan also provided troops for the Confederate war effort, most notably for the Botetourt Artillery. The unit distinguished itself in the defense of Vicksburg.
Federal General David Hunter marched through Buchanan on June 13, 1864, on his ill-fated raid in Lynchburg. The following day, Confederate General J.D. Imboden reported that Hunter had driven Confederate troops under McCausland’s command out of Buchanan. Period letters tell how McCausland burned the covered bridge over the James River before leaving, igniting a fire which destroyed close to 30 buildings.
Personal letters of the era also tell of the devastation to Buchanan caused by the war, including the burning of Col. John Anderson’s home, known as Mount Joy, the three-day Federal occupation of Oak Hill, the Anchorage, the Presbyterian Manse, as well as other private homes and offices throughout town. The battle flag of the Botetourt Artillery was said to have been made from the wedding dress of Cassandra Anderson, owner of Mount Joy.
