This morning after breakfast, as you approach the bridge over the Staunton River at the Staunton River Battlefield State Park, you’ll easily see how the geographically critical location was defended from the elaborate range of Civil War trenches. In June 1864, when Union Cavalry forces moved south on the Richmond & Danville Railroad and destroyed track as they went, they approached the Staunton River Bridge where 492 old men and young boys and 296 Confederate troops were ready to defend the intersection. That battle later became known as the Wilson-Kautz Raid. The bridge represented the final goal in General Wilson’s objective to destroy train routes throughout Southern Virginia. Lying silent today, the earthworks that so stoutly served to defend the bridge have been ranked among “the most well preserved earthworks in the State of Virginia” and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Farther up river, the Staunton River State Park takes its name from the river that borders the park. It was named for Captain Henry Staunton who commanded a company of soldiers to protect early settlers from Indian attacks. This section of the Dan River became known as Captain Staunton’s River and later, Staunton River. Forty years later the river became an important means of transporting tobacco from the many large plantations lining its banks. Most were destroyed during the Civil War. From 1933 to 1935, a unit of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built most of the buildings and facilities that are still at the Park. Nearby Buggs Island Lake was formed with the construction of the Kerr Dam in 1952.

As you leave Southern Virginia this afternoon, we suggest a visit to the Patrick Henry National Memorial. Even though it is not as grand as the homes of America’s other founding fathers, there is certain serenity about Red Hill. This is the property that Patrick Henry chose to live out the last five years of his life. Having lived in eleven other locations in Virginia, he selected Red Hill as “one of the best garden spots of the world.” Looking out over the Staunton River, you’ll soon understand the appeal of the property and its landscape. Altogether there are seven historic structures to explore, as well as a museum with more Henry memorabilia than any other location. Even though Patrick Henry’s Law Office is the only remaining original structure (the remainder are reconstructions on the original foundations), that fact does not take away from the history of this remarkable man.

From there, we wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.