"Bivouac of the Dead": Death in the American Civil War
Where
Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park, 6541 Saylers Creek Rd., Rice, VA 23966.
Visitor Center
When
May 24, 2025. 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
In 1847, Theodore O'Hara wrote Bivouac of the Dead. The opening stanza reads:
The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo;
No more on life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.
On Fame's eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And Glory guards, with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.
Immediately following the thunderous clash of Union and Confederate forces, a different kind of work began on American Civil War battlefields: disposing of the dead. Farms and small towns were completely overwhelmed with the sheer number of human remains creating a ghastly visage across the landscape that required immediate action. Soldiers often remained un-interred for days, weeks, and sometimes, months. Who made the coffins, buried the deceased, and notified the next of kin? How did the process of death and burial during the Victorian-Era differ between home and the battlefield?
Join Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historian Joshua Lindamood as he explores this topic and answers these questions along with many more. Due to the sensitive nature of the content and historical photographs, this program may not be suitable for individuals under the age of sixteen. Participant discretion is advised.
This program is FREE and will be held in the Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park Visitor Center. Please call 804-561-7510 for questions or more information.
Other details
Standard parking or admission fee applies: No.
Extra fee: No.
Registration required: No.
Children welcome: No.
Phone: 804-561-7510
Email Address: SailorsCreek@dcr.virginia.gov
Event types
History/Culture | Special Event
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