Buchanan invites you to explore some less familiar sites associated with America’s greatest drama, the Civil War. Four of these Buchanan landmarks are marked by Civil War Trail markers, two may be found on Lowe Street and two on Main Street. Each marker narrates the rich story of those who experienced triumph and tragedy during the war and its impact on our rural community. For additional information check these websites
www.huntersraid.org and www.townofbuchanan.com.
During the Civil War, the Town of Buchanan served as an important Confederate supply depot for shipment of agricultural produce and pig iron to Richmond via the James River and Kanawha Canal. Buchanan Farmers provided the Confederate quartermaster with beef, cotton, yarn and corn.
The Zimmerman house featured in Edward Beyer’s 1855 painting of the Town and still stands today on First Street.
Buchanan also provided troops for the Confederate war effort, most notably for the Botetourt Artillery, a unit which distinguished itself in the defense of Vicksburg. John W. Johnston headed the Botetourt Artillery in January 1863. Buchanan banker William Douthat’s sons Henry and William served as Second Lieutenants in the Botetourt Artillery. William Douthat Died in the defense of Vicksburg in May 1863 and was succeeded by Frances Obenchain, son of merchant Thomas Obenchain. Enlisted men from Buchanan in the Botetourt Artillery included Oliver Haney, son of Hotel Botetourt keeper Jacob Haney; Ferdinand Woltz, son of tailor William Woltz; and J. Zimmerman, son of saddler John Zimmerman.
Federal General David Hunter marched through Buchanan on June 13, 1864 on his ill-fated raid in Lynchburg. The following day Confederate General J.D. Imboden reported that Hunter had driven Confederate troops under McCausland’s command out of Buchanan. No other official military accounts of the engagement in Buchanan have been found, however, period letters tell how McCausland burned the covered bridge over the James River before leaving igniting a fire which destroyed close to thirty buildings.
Personal letters of the era also tell of the devastation to Buchanan caused by the war including the burning of Col. John Anderson’s home known as Mount Joy, the three day Federal occupation of Oak Hill, the Anchorage, the Presbyterian Manse as well as other private homes and offices throughout Town. The battle flag of the Botetourt Artillery was said to have been made from the wedding dress of Cassandra Anderson, owner of Mount Joy.
For additional information pick up a Hunter’s Raid Civil War Trail brochure at the Buchanan Town Hall, or, many of the downtown business locations.
