The BIG Announcement: New Company. New Purpose.
Like many of you, I have spent a lifetime traipsing around Civil War battlefields. For thirty-two of my thirty-nine years, I have maintained the belief that in order to truly understand the plight of the Civil War soldier, one must walk in their footsteps, on the very same fields in which they fought and fell.
Perhaps it was Joshua Chamberlain who best summed up the meaning of these hallowed grounds when he said, “In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls. And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field to ponder and dream; And lo! the shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls.”
From my very first battlefield jaunt as a child, to private tours I have given as an adult, I remain in a constant state of reverence for this sacred soil. As a historian, I work very hard to prevent people from forgetting what happened on these hallowed grounds. In the last few years I have been to Gettysburg, Antietam, Winchester, Kernstown, Manassas, New Market, Harper's Ferry and Fort Macon, while frequenting our local sites at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania and The Wilderness. It never gets old for me as I always see something new. Whether by writing books, giving lectures, or producing films, I firmly believe that it is my privilege to share the story of these unique places with others.
Even more so, it is my honor to present these sites to those individuals who may not have had the ease or opportunity to visit them before. It is therefore a tremendous pleasure for me to publicly announce my latest service, All-Access Battlefield Tours. This is a personal-turned-professional project that has already superseded everything that I do and it may redefine my work for years to come. AABT is now a registered business (LLC) that has already, and will continue to change me, and I ask that you share it with anyone you feel may have an interest. This weekend we are sending out a mass email blast to the media. Look for an upcoming article in The Free-Lance Star. Until then, here is our Press Release:
For Immediate Release, August 2011
All-Access Battlefield Tours for Wheelchair Travelers
Contact: Michael Aubrecht
540-845-2767, ma@pinstripepress.net
www.pinstripepress.net/AABT.html
Nestled on the banks of Virginia’s Rappahannock River is the historic town of Fredericksburg and the storied county of Spotsylvania. Four major Civil War battles took place in this area leaving behind acres of significant sites. Debuting in the fall of 2011, ALL-ACCESS BATTLEFIELD TOURS (LLC) is a new private tour service designed especially for wheelchair travelers who wish to fully explore and experience these hallowed grounds.
AABT’s all-accessible individual or group tours take visitors, their families and friends directly to historical hotspots while moving at their own pace. In order to provide a safe and comfortable expedition, visitors have the option of being transferred to customized travel wheelchairs that feature special wheels and canopies. These rugged outdoor chairs, combined with portable ramps, enable visitors to traverse fields, trails and roads that are otherwise inaccessible. Each experience includes complete accessibility assistance and the highest quality tours, featuring a unique staff of experts made up of local historians, authors and preservationists.
Founded by local Civil War historian and documentary film producer Michael Aubrecht, AABT is the area’s only tour service specifically catering to wheelchair travelers. Aubrecht explained the genesis of the business. He said, “I have a few friends in wheelchairs who are also history enthusiasts. Until recently, I had no idea how difficult it was for them to enjoy a battlefield-trekking experience. After some consideration, I decided to put together a special service that focused on them. I selected three or four locations at each battlefield that could be managed safely and then developed special tours that still present the whole story.” He added, “For example, our Fredericksburg Battlefield package includes a complete tour of the Sunken Road, Prospect Hill and the Slaughter Pen Farm. That’s a three-hour trek that is safe, comfortable and paced for wheelchair travelers and their families. We tell the whole story, even though we can’t get them to every hiking stop.”
Grateful for all of the support that he has received, Aubrecht credits the generosity and help of others in establishing AABT. Mark Jones, a local wheelchair-bound historian, and his wife Christine provided their experience and expertise by testing out battlefield locations, consulting on the accessibly requirements and identifying safety concerns. Mark is also assisting Michael as a guide. Local historian and author John Cummings will be lending his expertise at the Spotsylvania Battlefield and Bill Oberst Jr., a friend of Aubrecht’s and the actor who played General William T. Sherman in the History Channel’s “Sherman’s March,” has accepted an invitation to act as the spokesperson for the organization. Other sponsors include Right Stripe Media LLC, the independent film company that produced the documentary “The Angel of Marye’s Heights,” and The National Civil War Life Foundation.
The Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania National Military Park Service approved AABT’s permit to conduct the specialized tours. “The good folks at the local National Park Service have always been a tremendous help to me in all my endeavors, from books - to films - and now this. They are the gold standard for battlefield tours and I am studying very hard to live up to their expectations.” He adds, “I don’t think I’ve researched like this since I wrote my last book. We are using NPS staff historian Frank O’Reilly’s outstanding title The Fredericksburg Campaign as the reference source for our presentations.”
Troy Technologies, a travel wheelchair company based out of Los Angeles, generously donated two custom-made Pioneering Spirit Wheelchairs complete with the accessories required to make battlefield trekking on four wheels an enjoyable experience. “None of this could have happened if we didn’t have the proper accessibility gear,” Aubrecht said. “When I was starting to develop the concept, I sent petitions out to twelve wheelchair companies, asking for their support. Nathan Watkins, the president at Troy Technologies Inc. was the first to call me back.” He added, “I was immediately impressed by the durability and quality of their product line, as well as Nathan’s enthusiasm and willingness to help. Troy Technologies really came through for us and I look forward to sharing a long relationship with them. They are also dedicated to expanding the freedom and mobility of wheelchair travelers and we are truly kindred spirits. Many folks will want to use their own wheelchairs, and if they are suitable, they may. However, others may not have the proper equipment for traversing the fields, farms and roads associated with these tours. In that case we have these special chairs available for a very minimal rental fee that are safe and comfortable.” Portable ramps are also available to further enable touring comfort and mobility. All of AABT’s tour stops are fairly level, with minimal grades and are adjacent to suitable parking.
For a small fee to cover guides and operating costs, AABT is offering a primary three-hour wheelchair tour to Fredericksburg Battlefield, as well as optional trips to Chancellorsville, The Wilderness and Spotsylvania Battlefields. Stops among these choices include the Spotsylvania Confederate Cemetery, Salem Church and Ellwood. Special site requests may be accommodated if safety permits. AABT guides meet and greet patrons on site, at their location (home or hotel), or at one of the Visitor Centers.
Additional AABT plans are to offer special tours to the Wounded Warriors Project and find ways to benefit the Civil War Trust by bringing awareness to the importance of preserving battlefields. Thankful for the opportunity to share the past in the present, Aubrecht summed up the philosophy behind All-Access Battlefield Tours. He said, "Our goal is to make sure that visitors go where they want to go, see what they want to see, and experience what they want to experience."
All-Access Battlefield Tours officially opens for business on September 1, 2011 and will immediately begin booking weekend dates for the month of October. Tours will then run until mid-December, break for the winter season, and start up again in the spring. For more information, please visit www.pinstripepress.net/AABT.html, view AABT’s tour package brochure, or call 540-845-2767.
For more information on Troy Technologies custom, travel-ready wheelchairs, visit their website at http://www.travelwheelchair.net/.
CONTACT BIO: Michael Aubrecht has been hiking Civil War battlefields ever since his parents surprised him with a weekend trip to Gettysburg at the age of 6. For the last 18+ years, he has lived here in Spotsylvania. Among Michael’s books are two regional titles: Historic Churches of Fredericksburg, Houses of the Holy and The Civil War in Spotsylvania, Confederate Campfires at the Crossroads. Michael has written dozens of historical articles for the area’s newspaper The Free Lance-Star and most recently, he co-wrote, appeared in, and produced the critically acclaimed documentary The Angel of Mary’s Heights. Michael is the vice-chairman of the locally-based National Civil War Life Foundation, He has provided the voiceovers for local Hometown History Quick-takes on AM1230 radio, lectured at nearby Mary Washington University, and given private tours on and off for the last 5 years.
150 years ago...
I still have my BIG announcement coming next week, but in the meantime, I would be remiss if I didn’t join my brothers in the blogosphere and acknowledge this week's anniversary of the Battle of First Manassas. "First Bull Run" as some of you call it, initiated a conflict that would change the course of American history. Of course you can’t mention Manassas Battlefield without including the subject of its signature monument. Here is an excerpt from Chapter 7 of Onward Christian Soldier, my first and still one of my most popular books:
...Perhaps best known as “Stonewall,” Thomas J. Jackson earned his nickname at the First Battle of Manassas, after refusing to withdraw his troops in the face of total carnage. As Brigadier General Barnard Bee was informing him that his forces were being beaten back, Jackson interrupted, shouting, “Sir, we will give them the bayonet.” Inspired by the bravery of his subordinate, General Bee immediately rallied the remnants of his brigade, while shouting “There is Jackson, standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer.”
A devout Presbyterian and believer in predestination, Jackson insisted that God had already determined his time on Earth and that no spot on the battlefield was safer than the other. He once said, “My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to always be ready, no matter when it may overtake me.” It was this unwavering conviction that enabled him to lead his troops into battle without the fear of death and inspire countless others to rally behind him.
After their distinguished service at Manassas, word quickly spread of the gallantry of Old Jack and his Men of the Valley. Eventually the “Stonewall” moniker spread to encompass the entire brigade, which became the only Confederate force ever to have its nickname become an official designation.
That fall, Jackson was duly promoted to major general, and would continue to advance throughout his career. In total, his assignments would include: commanding the 1st Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah (May-July 20, 1861); brigadier general, CSA (June 17, 1861); commanding the 1st Brigade, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac (July 20-October 1861); major general, CSA (October 7, 1861); commanding the Valley District, Department of Northern Virginia (November 4, 1861-June 26, 1862); commanding the 2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (June 26, 1862-May 2, 1863); and lieutenant general, CSA (October 10, 1862).
In May of 1862, Jackson and his troops took part in what is still considered one of the most brilliant and successful missions in American military history, the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. During that time, over seventeen thousand Confederates marched more than six hundred miles to participate in four major battles and seven minor engagements. When it was over, Jackson’s troops had defeated four sizable Union armies, while capturing nine pieces of artillery, ten thousand small arms, and four thousand prisoners…
BONUS: If you are interested in that campaign, here are the transcripts from my lecture on the subject titled Jackson’s Journey: Stonewall in the Valley.
...than right here, right now? I can’t think of anything more promising than being a Civil War historian during the Civil War’s Sesquicentennial in Virginia. Perhaps at no other time during our lifetime will we hold the attention of the general public like we do now. This past weekend I spent a few hours watching CSPAN coverage of the events going on at Manassas Battlefield and a few more reading through the recollections by friends and colleagues who were there. To say that it put me “in the mood” is an understatement and I cannot wait to participate in the 150th anniversary events that will be taking place here in Fredericksburg next December. My BIG announcement coming up will present how I plan to make my mark for the benefit of others. Until then, here are links to some excellent Blog postings by those who survived the 100+ degree heat in Manassas: 