"Seems to Have Belonged to some Former Age"

Across the road stands White Oak Church, an important Civil War landmark during the winter of 1862-1863. Stafford County Baptist constructed the simple weatherboard structure sometime after 1789, later adding an attached shed with a separate entrance for African-American members of the congregation. A Union soldier described it disparagingly as a “miserable, insignificant structure, dilapidated and steepleless, and seems to have belonged to some former age. It looks,” he thought, “very much like some ancient horse shed and barn that may be seen in some of our less thriving villages.”

With the arrival of the Army of the Potomac in November 1862, White Oak Church instantly became the center of one of the largest communities in Virginia. For seven months, 20,000 soldiers of the VI Corps camped in the immediate area. During that time the church served alternately as a military hospital, a United States Christian Commission station, and as a photographic studio. Fifty-two soldiers who died during the encampment were buried on the church grounds. Their bodies were later moved to Fredericksburg National Cemetery.

This church has become historical. It has been the center of our operations for some time.”

- Captain William H. Hick, 1st New Jersey Cavalry

Marker is on Newton Road near White Oak Road (Virginia Route 218), on the left when traveling north.

Courtesy hmdb.org

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