One of the best ways to get children interested in our Nation's history is to take them to a living history event such as the Corbit's Charge Commemoration Weekend. Several re-enactor units were encamped to offer instruction about the Civil War period featuring both military and social topics, including children's games, women's fashions, religious services, music and dance.
The skirmish known as "Corbit's Charge" occurred on June 29, 1863, when a small unit of the 1st Delaware Cavalry, Union Army, challenged the advancing Confederate cavalry divisions under General J.E.B. Stuart. Captain Charles Corbit led Company C of the 1st Delaware Cavalry in a short battle at the intersection of Main Street and Washington Road in Westminster.
Although he was far outmanned (about 90 Union cavalry versus over 5000 Confederate horsemen), Corbit's attack delayed General Stuart from his crucial participation at the Battle of Gettysburg. As part of their commemoration, the Pipe Creek Civil War Roundtable sponsored tours of the battle site and honored the casualties of the skirmish with a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of Confederate Lt. John W. Murray, Company E, 4th Virginia Cavalry.
A highlight of this year's commemoration was a historical speech by Abraham Lincoln as portrayed by actor Jim Getty. Since the mid-1970s, Getty has portrayed our 16th President in a one-person show titled "A Visit with Mr. Lincoln." In Westminster, Getty focused upon Lincoln's difficulties in dealing with Maryland to prevent it from seceding from the Union.
The Pipe Creek Civil War Roundtable is to be commended for its excellent work in bringing local history to life for Carroll County's residents.
In the early nineteenth century, military encampments were a traditional feature of Fourth of July celebrations in our local communities. In an 1891 column, the Manchester correspondent to the American Sentinel (a Westminster newspaper) lamented that little attention was paid to the historical remembrances of the Fourth of July in that year:
I'm sorry to say in the observance of the 115th anniversary of our National Independence, our town and community settled down to a tee-totter stagnation. There not even having been one family picnic to drive away the cares of everyday life. And from the general tenor of affairs, no doubt it would have passed without notice, if not for the fire of patriotism been kindled in the breast of the members of the Drum Corps, who paraded about 1 a.m., awaking the sleeping citizens with their marshal music. Then at 4 p.m., the different bells pealed forth their notes of liberty.
Although the article carries no byline, I presume that the correspondent at that time was Oliver Troxell Everhart who served as the correspondent to the American Sentinel for many years. He was a descendant of the early settlers in this community including the Everhart and Shower families. He continues the 1891 article with a reminiscence of traditional celebrations that respected the history of the occasion:
How in contrast with our boyhood days, when Manchester was the center of attraction on this national holiday. How after weeks of preparation the 4th was celebrated in a manner well-befitting the occasion under the auspices of the military company of Captain Jacob Shower, who would encamp upon the commons for several days in company with other invited military organizations. When amid the booming of the cannon and the stirring music of the fife and drum, a general good time was enjoyed by all in attendance.
The Manchester correspondent also notes the tradition of fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July. The "Trump" block referenced below would be the Main Street buildings just south of the center of town. "Westminster Hill" is the prominence known today as "Catholic Hill" at the intersection of Westminster Street and Hilltop Drive.
At night, fireworks were displayed at several places, the largest and best exhibition was given in front of the Trump Block. Several of the wide-awake gentlemen, after enjoying the home display went to the Westminster hill and enjoyed a fine view of displays at five different points - locating them at Westminster, Hampstead, Houcksville, Beckleysville and a point northeast that could not be designated.
Today, some people lament the commercialization of the modern Fourth of July holiday that is symbolized by retail sales promotions and summer recreational activities that offer few, if any, references to the true meaning of the birth of American democracy. This complaint that the Fourth of July in the United States has lost its true meaning is not just a modern lament.
Over 100 years ago, the American Sentinel editor W.L.W. Seabrook bemoaned the lack of respect for the holiday in the July 4, 1891, edition of his newspaper:
It is wise to keep these things in mind and teach them to the children of this highly-favored land. The half-sneering tone in which this anniversary is sometimes recalled is unworthy of an American citizen. It is right and fitting to designate it as the Glorious Fourth not in burlesque, but instead in sincerity. The event it commemorates is one of the most glorious in human history and worthy to be held in honor as it is by every lover of human freedom. Let it be celebrated then with pure and patriotic fervor. Let the grand lessons it teaches be inculcated by precept and example as the oral expression and outward manifestation of gladness for the return of each Fourth of July.
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