Anyone who has seen Ted Turner's movie adaptation of "The Killer Angels" (or read the book, or visited the battlefield) will remember that Union troops shouted "Fredericksburg" at their Confederate opponents retreating after Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg. On October 1, 2, and 3 we'll find out why.

For serious students of conflict, command, and decision-making under fire, the Mosby Heritage Area Associations' annual Conference on Command in the Civil War is arguably one of the most entertaining and valuable events of the year.

This year's event brings together the world's foremost authorities on the critical and bloody Battle of Fredericksburg for presentations, panel discussions, book-signings, fellowship, and by all accounts one of the best battlefield tours anywhere, any time.

Books, Battles, and Banter with the Best

The Conference begins with registration, reception, book-browsing and free-wheeling chats with their authors in the Middleburg Community Center on Friday afternoon, October 1, at 4:00 PM.

At 5:00 internationally known scholars Greg Mertz and Frank O'Reilly will kick off the conference with overviews of the decision to engage and the implications of the Union disaster there for the Confederate disaster at Gettysburg. On Saturday, October 2, participants will be able to see, hear, and engage Clark Hall (on John Pelham), Kim Holden (on Burnside), Robert Krick (on the town), Jeffrey Wert (on Lee and Longstreet), and O'Reilly (on the Union assault against Longstreet's line), and George Rable (on the impact of the defeat on the Union Army).

Joseph Bilby, will discuss the meaning of the conflict writ large and Fredericksburg in particular on Irish immigrants, at the Conference Banquet, served at Middleburg's American Legion Hall.

From 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, October 3, attendees will bus to Fredericksburg and tour the battlefield itself.

Local Students Honored

This year's conference will also recognize five local students, Mina Pirasteh of Highland School, Maddie Travell and Megan Hasse of The Hill School, and Ben Weimer and Sarah Stirrup of Wakefield School. Their outstanding Civil War research and essay projects made them school winners, and finalists for the James Peyton Atkins Memorial "War Between the States" Scholarship.

The Mosby Heritage Area Association now faces the task of selecting the best essay from the five school winners; one from a middle school level student and one from a upper school level student.

The two winners will be awarded a Mosby Heritage Certificate of Achievement and given seats to the 13th Annual Conference on the Art of Command in the Civil War.

Space Limited - Tickets Available

To register for the conference, go to http://www.mosbyheritagearea.org/events.html or call 540.687.6681.

Tickets will be available at the door for Conference events in Middleburg. Pre-registration is required for the Sunday bus trip to Fredericksburg.

Registration Fees:
$400 Full Registration for all activities (reception, lunches, snacks, dinner included)
$190 for Friday & Saturday Lectures only (Saturday lunch, not dinner included)
$100 for Angel Level Donation
$500 for Sponsor Level Donation & 1 ticket
$650 for Patron Level Donation & 1 ticket