20080622 Corbit’s Charge events scheduled in Westminster for June 27 through 29 2008

20080622 Corbit’s Charge events scheduled in Westminster for June 27 through 29 2008

Commemoration of the 145th Anniversary of Corbit’s Charge is Slated for June 27th – 29th

Excerpted from “THE DOWNTOWN WESTMINSTER MAIN STREET NEWS – May/June 2008,” written by the Westminster Administrator of Economic Development Stan Ruchlewicz.

His office is located at 56 West Main Street, Westminster, Maryland.

He can be contacted at 410-848-5294 or send him an email.

If it wasn’t for the Battle of Westminster, more commonly known as Corbit’s Charge, 145 years ago, we all might be speaking with a Southern accent or so the story goes.

The skirmish here delayed General J.E.B. Stuart and his 5,000 Confederate cavalrymen from reaching Gettysburg until July 2, 1863, the 2nd day of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Join the Corbit’s Charge Commemoration Committee, City of Westminster, Historical Society of Carroll County and Pipe Creek Civil War Round Table in commemorating the 145th anniversary of the cavalry skirmish that took place on the streets of Westminster on June 29, 1863 by attending a weekend of events from June 27th through June 29th.

On the evening of Friday, June 27th, there will be a period music concert by O’ Be Joyfull on the Locust Lane Stage, beginning at 6:30 p.m.; troops will be patrolling Main Street that evening and a walking tour led by noted local Civil War historian G. Thomas LeGore will kick off the event.

Beginning on the morning of Saturday, June 28th, a Civil War encampment, featuring civilian and military re-enactors, artisans, sutlers, blacksmiths, tinsmiths, chair caners, cavalry horses, cannon firing demonstrations, camp life demonstrations, and artifact and museum displays, will be in place all weekend on the grounds of the Carroll County Multi-Service Center at 225 North Center Street, across the street from the County Office Building.

The annual parade from the encampment to the Corbit’s Charge Monument and Lt. Murray’s gravesite in the cemetery of the Ascension Episcopal Church, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony, will take place at 1:00 p.m.

The encampment closes to the public after a free period music concert by “The Susquehanna Travelers” that begins at 7:00 p.m.

However, the activities do not end for the day, as a Civil War Ball will take place at The Old Longwell Armory (Westminster Recreation & Parks), 11 Longwell Avenue, from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Admission to the ball is $10.00 per person and space is limited.

Briant & Karin Bohleke will serve as dance masters while music will be performed by Peg Shutes and Bruce Young.

The inaugural Corbit’s Charge Civil War Ball is being sponsored by Ms. Kim Prehn and Unique Jewelry.

Sunday's activities will begin with a Civil War tent church service at 10:00 a.m. Guided walking tours of the battle site will be offered Sunday afternoon.

The encampment will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, with various demonstrations throughout the day.

With the exception of the Civil War Ball, all events are FREE and open to the public.

For more information or directions to the events, visit the Pipe Creek Civil War Round Table website at http://www.pccwrt.addr.com/Corbits_Charge.htm.


History Westminster 18630629 Corbit's Charge June 29 1863

History Westminster

History Carroll Co. 18630629 Corbit's Charge June 29 1863

Westminster Economic Dev Admin Stan Ruchlewicz