Battle of Cool Spring

160th Anniversary Commemorative Programs

July 20th

On Saturday, July 20, 2024, Shenandoah University’s McCormick Civil War Institute will commemorate the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Cool Spring at the University’s River Campus at Cool Spring Battlefield located at 1400 Parker Lane, Bluemont, Virginia. This event is free and open to the public, although monetary donations are much appreciated to assist in defraying expenses associated with this event. No pre-registration is required for this event.

Schedule of Day’s Activities

9:00 a.m.: Site opens
9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.: Walking tour–“The Blood-Tinted Waters of the Shenandoah”: The Battle of Cool Spring & Its Aftermath with Jonathan Noyalas, director of Shenandoah University’s McCormick Civil War Institute. This walking tour will explore personal stories of Union and Confederate soldiers engaged at Cool Spring, explore the battle’s legacies, and highlight the battle’s impact on soldiers and their families.

Noon-12:45 p.m.: Reflections on the Life of Colonel Joseph Thoburn with historian Jonathan Tracey (Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park). Presentation will be held in the Lodge.

1-2 p.m.: Celebration of the release of “The Blood-Tinted Waters of the Shenandoah”: The 1864 Valley Campaign’s Battle of Cool Spring by Jonathan A. Noyalas. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

In addition to all of the scheduled activities, battlefield trails will be open throughout the day for self-guided tours (tour guides are available for free at the site), the updated exhibition about Cool Spring and its aftermath will be available for viewing, an exhibition of artist Paul Salmon’s Civil War watercolors will be on display, and visitors will have an opportunity to learn about Ohio’s efforts to arm its troops through a special one-day exhibition curated by historian Phil Spaugy.

Contact

For questions, please contact the McCormick Civil War Institute Director, Jonathan Noyalas, at jnoyalas01@su.edu or 540-665-4501.