Union, Confederacy make peace at CCS

Imagine Civil War Gens. Ulysses S. Grant and A.P Hill standing next to each other and holding a cordial conversation.

That was just one of several significant moments at this year’s history fair in Culpeper Christian School’s multipurpose room Thursday.

Sporting makeshift gray beards, 13-year-old eighth-graders Preston Boxley portrayed the fearless Union leader, while Chance Marshall personified the brave Confederate who grew up on Main and Davis streets.

“History is alive here in Culpeper,” said Brad Hales, CCS history teacher and pastor at Reformation Lutheran Church.

Following the two-hour event, Shane Combs (Jefferson Davis) won first place; Chance Marshall (A.P. Hill) came in second, and Lydia Hales (Frank Stringfellow) placed third.

Although 28 fifth- through eighth-graders took part in the fair, only the seventh- and eighth-graders were judged.

This year, Hales is teaching the Civil War to seventh- and eighth-graders the entire academic year. The class will cover causes of the war, battles and reconstruction.

“It’s a fantastic class,” Hales said. “We are probably the only school in America that teaches a full year and concentration on the War Between the States. They are going to learn more than 95 percent of Americans on the war. And what a great place to be learning about it than in Culpeper.”

The students also had to complete a six-page report on the historical figure they chose. During the fair, parents, grandparents and younger students visited each presenter as they learned about historical events.

About the generals
Both West Point graduates, Grant and Hill achieved success during the war, albeit on opposing sides.

In 1863, Grant skillfully won the key river city of Vicksburg, Miss., dividing the Confederacy in two. He later served as the 18th president of the United States from 1869 until 1877.

As a divisional and corps commander, Hill gained many accolades for his Light Division’s success during the Seven Days Battles, Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg.

“He grew up in the Pepperberries building,” said Chance, pointing to a photo of Hill’s boyhood home. “That’s why I picked him, because he lived in Culpeper.”

Davis, also a West Point graduate, was the president of the Confederate States of America between 1861 and 1865 before being captured and imprisoned.

Stringfellow, who also grew up in Culpeper, was a Confederate spy.

Recreating history
Where else can you see U.S. presidents Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln shooting the breeze just across the room from each other?

It happened at CCS.

Jonathan Hoffman, a 12-year-old sixth-grader, brought the charismatic actor-turned-president Reagan to life during the fair.

Meanwhile, 12-year-old seventh-grader Malayna Campbell put on Lincoln’s familiar stovepipe black hat and matching suit and even donned a bit of makeup on her chin to depict the former lawyer who became the 16th president.

“I thought it would be really cool and different to be him,” Malayna said.

Rachel Clatterbuck, a 14-year-old eighth-grader, transformed into Clara Barton, the teacher and humanitarian who organized the American Red Cross.

“She really was an angel of the battlefield. I don’t think a lot of women could have done what she did,” said Rachel, describing Barton’s work during the Civil War where she distributed supplies to wounded soldiers and helped nurse them back to health.

Other historical figures at Thursday’s fair included: Pocahontas, Stonewall Jackson, Rose O’Neal Greenhow, JEB Stuart, Belle Boyd, Robert E. Lee, Sacagawea, Sitting Bull, Teddy Roosevelt, George Washington, Queen Elizabeth, Billy Sunday, Amy Carmichael, Mary Slessor, Christopher Columbus and David Livingstone.