The History Press Releases
Historic Churches of Fredericksburg: Houses of the Holy
By Michael Aubrecht

Charleston, SC:  Historic Churches of Fredericksburg: Houses of the Holy recalls stories of rebellion, racism, and reconstruction as experienced by Secessionists, Unionists, and the African American population in Fredericksburg’s landmark churches during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. Using a wide variety of materials compiled from the local National Park archives, author Michael Aubrecht presents multiple perspectives from local believers and nonbelievers who witnessed the country’s “Great Divide.” Learn about the importance of faith in old Fredericksburg through the recollections of local clergy such as Reverend Tucker Lacy; excerpts from slave narratives as recorded by Joseph F. Walker; impressions of military commanders such as Robert E. Lee and “Stonewall” Jackson; and stories of the conflict over African American churches.

To request a review copy or to arrange an interview with Michael Aubrecht, contact Katie Parry at katie.parry@historypress.net.

The History Press, based in Charleston, South Carolina and Salem, Massachusetts, brings a new way of thinking to history publishing by producing regional history titles by excellent historians and striving to make these books available to a wide audience.

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As the last weeks of summer draw near, the days have begun to get shorter, my pool water is turning colder, and the leaves have just started to trickle down from their limbs. Fall stands just around the corner and its time to start thinking about those ‘winter reads’ for snowy nights when a good book is just what the weatherman ordered. Here are two excellent and highly original titles that are guaranteed to keep you from suffering from ‘cabin fever.’

Our first title is quite possibly, THE most original concept for a Civil War-era history book that I have seen in years. With the exception of Robert Krick’s recent offering “Civil War Weather In Virginia,” which focuses on the affects of mother nature on the War Between the States, James Schmidt ‘s latest release “Lincoln’s Labels,” takes the title for ‘Most Under Appreciated Topic.’ A well-respected historian and blogger, Schmidt is the author of more than fifty articles on American history in publications such as ‘North & South,’ ‘The Civil War News,’ ‘World War II,’ ‘Learning through History,’ and ‘Chemical Heritage.’ Balancing on the shelves between the military-history and consumer-economics sections of your bookstore, “Lincoln’s Labels” takes a detailed look at the origins of some of the most recognizable brands in our stores today and how they came about during the nation’s great divide.

As with any American-based war, the home front has always been called upon to answer the call in support of the military’s efforts. War often initiates some of the biggest expansions of both inventions and industry. Not surprising, the Civil War was responsible for some of the most significant contributions by corporate giants such as du Pont, Brooks Brothers, Procter & Gamble and Borden’s. “Lincoln’s Labels” also examines the conflict’s affects in turn, on American businesses, and how they were forced to modify the way they operated in order to survive. It is a story of wartime politics, big business, and how ingenuity and perseverance are key to success. The addition of many wonderful illustrations makes this book a complete study that provides an unfamiliar background to some very familiar products. For more on this unique title, please visit the official Lincoln’s Labels website.

The second title that I would like to introduce you to today comes from a very familiar authoring duo (now a trio), who have also come up with a quality study on a far too neglected subject in the annals of military history: the retreat. With hundreds, more likely thousands of books already published on the glorious victories that took place on American battlefields, this book deals with the post-battle experiences of the downtrodden and defeated. Following the success of their critically acclaimed (and this reviewer’s favorite read of 2007) “Plenty of Blame to Go Around: JEB Stuart's Controversial Ride to Gettysburg,” cavalry gurus Eric J. Wittenberg, and J. David Petruzzi, have teamed up with retired US Army Armored Cavalry Officer Michael Nugent to produce another winner focusing on the Gettysburg Campaign. “One Continuous Fight: The Retreat from Gettysburg and the Pursuit of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, July 4-14, 1863” spotlights the ten-day retreat that Robert E. Lee’s battered and bruised Army of Northern Virginia conducted following their humbling defeat in Pennsylvania.

While the rest of the world continues to remain wrapped-up in the three-day engagement that took place in Adams County from July 1-3, this historian trio presents the little-known events that took place from July 4-14, 1863. During that period there were over two-dozen skirmishes and fighting at locations such as: Granite Hill, Monterey Pass, Hagerstown, Williamsport, Funkstown, Boonsboro, and Falling Waters. With a compelling narrative that has become the collective style of Wittenberg and Petruzzi (and now Nugent), the reader is transported back in time to hop in the saddle with General JEB Stuart who was able to redeem his tardiness at Gettysburg by successfully defending the retreating column of Confederate casualties that stretched for over seventeen miles. An examination of Union General George Meade’s actions is also presented giving the book a nice balance between the North and South. As with their previous release this book is a treasure trove of rarely seen documents, letters, diaries, newspaper accounts, and was published using primary and secondary sources. For more on this unique title, please visit the official One Continuous Fight website.

Today’s book signing at Spotsylvania Presbyterian Church was a great success. I did two sessions during Fellowship Time and sold more books than I planned. I also handed out a bunch of invitations to the upcoming release party at the Civil War Life Soldier's Museum and tentatively booked the musical act.

More importantly, I shared in worship with old friends, made a few new friends, and had quite a few people sign up for my course on ‘Stonewall’ Jackson. I even had a few married couples enroll, so I guess we’ll have a mixed-ministry study group. I usually attend the 11:15 service every Sunday, but today I had to be there when my wife starts working the nursery at 8:00! Man... I'm sleepy (yawn).

This Wednesday evening the family will be attending a special dinner at the church to kick off the fall semester and meet and greet our students. This particular course session will be extra special for the Aubrechts as my wife Tracy is also teaching a children’s class. She already runs the nursery on Sundays and Wednesday mornings, and is on the offering counting-committee, so it’s about time I start doing my part too. Although I led a small Sunday night men’s bible study at SPC for two years, this will be the first class that I lead as a teacher. I am blessed beyond words.

My goal with this 8-week history/theology course is not to have the students walk away well versed in the life of Thomas Jackson, he is just the platform. The goal is to have them leave with a greater appreciation for the fearlessness and strength that can be achieved through a resolve to live according to the Word, and how that can be applied in our own lives. The key question is what makes a man stand like a stone wall on a battlefield? The answer in my opinion is faith. I’ll let you know how the dinner and introductory session goes. The following class we will be watching ‘Still Standing’ before diving right into the book and workbook in anticipation of touring the Jackson Shrine at the end of the 8 weeks.

Tomorrow afternoon I will be driving around Fredericksburg delivering complimentary copies of “Houses of the Holy” along with party invitations and promo packets to the downtown churches as well as my friends at the National Park Service. I should also be getting some feedback on my proposal for the 19th-century baseball tournament from our local Sesquicentennial County Fair Sub-Committee of which I have been asked to assist. Right now however... it's naptime... (yawn)

Just a quick post today. I'm off to a meeting with the local 2009 County Fair sub-committee at the CW Life Museum...

Here in Fredericksburg we are very fortunate to have some excellent regional cable shows that highlight many of our local artists, musicians, authors, and historians. One of my personal favorites is produced and distributed by the Central Rappahannock Regional Library and features fascinating interviews with local residents in a variety of historic locations. Titled “CRRL Presents,” this weekly cable show is produced by staff at the library and features one-on-one interviews and programs about the library and area. Topics include artisan crafts, theater, museums, bluegrass music, fine dining, healthy tips for living and more. You can watch past shows via their online archives here.

In the past, I have praised the Fairfax County's cable-access, which features ten brilliant, one-hour Civil War documentaries that were produced by Dr. James I. Robertson Jr. and the Blue Ridge PBS. I have long wished that the Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania area were able to follow suite. There have been some excellent documentaries shot locally by independent film companies such as Wide Awake Films and Franklin Springs Family Media and the National Park Service has produced some high-quality programs as well (John Hennessey’s film on the wartime experiences of local civilians is fantastic), but outside of those and the occasional mention on shows like “CRRL Presents,” the treasure trove of historical subject matter is far too often ignored.

This is a topic for conversation that I seem to have again and again with local museum, tourism, and roundtable officials. Perhaps someone will take the initiative and make a serious effort to get some homegrown historical shows on the local dial. Until then, I recommend checking out “CRRL Presents” on COX Cable and the Blue Ridge “Civil War” series on FIOS.

“Author Michael Aubrecht brought enlightenment and intrigue to the Manassas Museum through his presentation on his book The Southern Cross: a Civil War Devotional that left his audience eager to learn more, and we await his return with his new book. Michael is invited back to the Manassas Museum anytime because he proved to be well prepared and educated presenter; he brought his own presentation, he arrived at the specified time, he listened to the audience’s stories without hesitation, was well spoken, and receptive to the audience’s questions.”

Visit new book splash-page

Pre-Civil War race relations are a major focus in this book and it is the first of mine to do so. Here is a short excerpt from the chapter on Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site), the first African-American church that grew out of Fredericksburg Baptist Church:

…As was often the case during this period, the Caucasian majority often took a paternalistic approach to their African-American neighbors that were less rooted in recognition of equality, and more on the moral obligation to assist those souls held in bondage. Additionally, whites often perceived blacks, especially slaves, to be both ignorant and living in a state of irreligion. In their minds, even slave owners were answering the call to “go forth and make disciples of all nations,” which included those who they ironically deprived the ability to read and write. In essence, the denial of an education in any form, prevented blacks from getting out from under the intellectual shadow of the white population.

Racism obviously posed a conflict of conscience for many practicing Christians, as the very same people offering spiritual nurturing to their “coloured brethren” were often slave owners themselves. This represented a paradoxical relationship that existed between devout believers and their servants. The majority of whites appeared to have been benevolent at best about racial equality. Many citizens, even those who opposed the institution of slavery, still did not consider the black population to be equal. To some, the path to freedom for blacks meant colonization. To others, slavery had been ordained by their personal interpretations of biblical scripture.

However, white supremacy was not embraced by all of Fredericksburg’s citizens. A local Presbyterian woman named Mary B.M. Blackford recorded the hypocrisy that she witnessed during worship as well as one minister’s efforts to seek colonization for freed blacks. She wrote:

[Slave traders] have been using the town jail for their purpose, though it is expressly contrary to law, there being no one possessed of moral courage enough to go forward to have this abuse corrected. The town jail faces the Presbyterian Church and I have sat there during the preaching and looked out at the innocent prisoners peeping through the iron bars, and have thought that they were kept there for the crime of designing to be free and to return to those God commanded then to protect and care for. The words would occur to me as I looked around on the worshippers in the Church, ‘Is not this the fast that I have chosen, to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke.’

At the time when my heart was weighed down by watching each day the progress made in building the brick wall that was around the negro jail spoken of above where guiltless prisoners were to be immured, and I looked around in vain for a remedy. (My dear husband did all he could do to stop it.) I was called to the door to see a plain looking country gentleman who wished to see Mr. Blackford on business. I told him Mr. B. would soon be at home and asked him to be seated. On entering into conversation with him, I discovered he had been directed by the good and holy man Father Kobler (a Methodist Preacher) to get advice from my husband as to the steps necessary to be taken to procure a passage to Liberia for a young woman, the only Slave he possessed. He told that he was about to remove with his family to Illinois, and he wished to give her her freedom and every advantage. He could have gotten, he told me, four hundred dollars for her in the neighborhood.

This act of disinterestedness cheered me; it was the green spot in the moral desert I had been wandering through. I thank God for showing me just then that there were some who felt for the oppressed; it cheered and refreshed my spirits, and I can better bear to witness the progress of the jail, though I trust I shall never be hardened to such sights. The young woman who was liberated by the gentleman…was sent to town to the care of the Female Colonization Society, and was sent to Liberia by them under the protection of some missionaries who were going to that place. Along with her we sent another freed girl manumitted by Mr. Morton… 

Those who endured the pains of the institution of slavery firsthand best presented the deplorable treatment of African-Americans held for forced labor. In 1850, a convention of fugitive slaves was held in New York City. One of the country’s most outspoken publications on the subject was the Anti-Slavery Bugle. On September 28th, the Bugle printed a piece to coincide with the convention entitled Letters to the American Slaves:

“So galling was our bondage, that to escape from it, we suffered the loss of all things, and braved every peril, and endured every hardship. Some of us left parents, some wives, some children. Some of us were wounded with guns and dogs, as we fled. Some of us secreted ourselves in the suffocating holds of ships. Nothing was so dreadful to us as slavery…”

Frustrated by the notion of being designated as secondary citizens worshipping at a “branch,” the black members of Fredericksburg Baptist petitioned for more independence. In March, the following declaration resolved the matter:

“Whereas the colored portion of our church have applied to us for the privilege of being constituted into a separate church, and having requested us to appoint a committee to draft a constitution for that purpose, therefore, resolved that we will grant this request on the condition that the coloured brethren pledge themselves by a resolution of their body to make good to us the balance of the subscription made by them towards paying for our new house of worship, say the balance of five hundred dollars.”

Upon paying the additional sum of $500, the deed to the church was transferred. The original membership rolls on file at the Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) outline the legacy of the African-American congregation. In the first column are listed the names of each individual who was received into membership in November and December of 1853. The second column records the date in which each member was baptized into the faith. The third column shows the month and year when a member was received by letter as a transfer from another church. The fourth column (mostly empty) presents the month and year that a member was reinstated into the church after being previously removed from membership. The fifth column is the most striking, as it lists the date of “May 4, 1856” over and over as the day in which all of the church’s black members were dismissed. This date is significant, as it represents the official split between the races. As the white side of the church “took” the identity of the previously integrated house of worship, the black members were “dismissed” from the official Baptist records. This in turn enabled the newly formed African-American Baptist congregation to be received into the denomination as a separate body from that of their predecessors. Both churches were then required to draft new constitutions.

Despite reaching an agreement over the split, another debate developed regarding the legal requirement of a white pastor shepherding the African-American church. This concern was addressed in multiple meetings that were recorded. Minutes taken by the white congregation on February of 1856 stated that:

“Whereas we desire the coloured portion of our church to enjoy the privilege of regular public worship in the house we formerly occupied, therefore, resolved, that the esteemed Brother Elder George Rowe, who has for several months been laboring among them with much acceptance, be requested to continue these labors, and to administer the ordinances of the gospel among them, and also, in conjunction with our pastor, to attend to the order and discipline of the church so long as it may be mutually agreeable to the parties concerned, the coloured brethren being expected to make him such compensation for his services as he and they may agree upon.”

George Rowe was an elder in the church and owned seven slaves himself. He had established a familiar rapport with the “coloured congregation” and was well versed in the study and preaching of Biblical scripture. By 1858, Shiloh Baptist Church was blossoming and its numbers continued to increase. Rowe remained in the position of congregational “overseer” until President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation took effect. At that time a longtime and active member of the church named George Dixon was appointed as the first African-American pastor.

Unfortunately a short time later, the entire town was devastated by the battle that raged upon the arrival of the Federal Army. This prompted over 300 members, Dixon included, to flee north to Washington where they established a daughter church in a large horse stable christened “ShilohWashington DC.” This church is still in operation today. Those who remained in town met sporadically in homes and an old warehouse on Fifteenth Street. Unfortunately, the church building was counted among the structural casualties of the Battle of Fredericksburg… (Taken from 'Historical Churches of Fredericksburg: Houses of the Holy' by Michael Aubrecht. The History Press, Sept. 2008)

One of the biggest hits of my 'Great Revival' talk on Monday (and the section that people seemed the most touched by) was the incredibly profound 'Confederate prayer,' which is rumored to have been found on the body of a dead southern soldier. It goes:

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I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked God for health, that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for - but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am among men, most richly blessed. (Amen)

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Today I came upon this gem, which was apparently used by Jewish Confederates. The prayer was composed by Rev. Max Michelbacher of Congregation Beth Ahabah, Richmond, Virginia, and distributed to troops in the field:

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Shemang Yisroel, Ad-nay El-hainoo, Ad-noy Achod!

Oh G-d of the Universe! Although unworthy through my manifestold transgressions, I approach the seat of thy mercy, to crave thy favor, and to seek thy protection. I supplicate thy forgiveness, O most merciful Father, for the many transgressions and the oft repeated disobedience, which cause Thee to command destruction over me. Behold me now, O my Father, supplicating Thy protection! Thou who art near when all other aid faileth! O spare me, guard me from the evil that is impending!

This once happy country is inflamed by the fury of war; a menacing enemy is arrayed against the rights, liberties and freedom of this, our Confederacy; the ambition of this enemy has dissolved fraternal love, and the hand of fraternity has been broken asunder by the hands of those, who sit now in council and meditate our chastisement, with the chastisement of scorpions. Our firesides are threatened; the foe is before us, with the declared intention to desecrate our soil, to murder our people, and to deprive us of the glorious inheritance which was left to us by the immortal fathers of this once great Republic.

Here I stand now with many thousands of the sons of the sunny South, to face the foe, to drive him back, and to defend our natural rights. O Lord, G-d of Israel, be with me in the hot season of the contending strife; protect and bless me with health and courage to bear cheerfully the hardships of war.

O L-rd, Ruler of Nations, destroy the power of our enemies! "Grant not the longings of the wicked; suffer not his wicked device to succeed, lest the exalt themselves. Selah. as for the heads of those that encompass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Let burning coals be cast upon them; let them be thrown into the fire, into deep pits, that they rise not up again." (Psalm 140). Be unto the Army of this confederacy, as thou were of old, unto us, thy chosen people-- Inspire them with patriotism! Give them when marching to meet, or, overtake the enemy, the wings of the eagle-- in the camp be Thou their watch and ward-- and in the battle, strike for them, O Almighty G-d of Israel, as thou didst strike for thy people on the plains of Canaan--guide them O L-rd of Battles, into the paths of victory, guard them from the shaft and missile of the enemy. Grant that they may ever advance to wage battle, and battle in thy name to win! Grant that not a standard be ever lowered among them! O L-rd, G-d, Father, be thou with us!

Give unto the officers of the Army and of the Navy of the Confederate States, enterprise, fortitude and undaunted courage; teach them the ways of war and the winning of victory. Guard and preserve, O L-rd, the President of the Confederate States and all officers, who have the welfare of the country truly at heart. Bless all my fellow-citizens, and guard them against sickness and famine! May they prosper and increase!

Hear me further, O L-rd, when I pray to Thee for those on earth, dearest to my heart. O bless my father, mother, brothers and sisters. (if married: my wife and children.) O bless them all with earthly and heavenly good! May they always look up to Thee, and may they find in Thee their trust and strength.

O L-rd, be with me always. Show me the way I have to go, to be prepared to meet Thee here and hereafter.

My hope, my faith, my strength are in Thee, O L-rd, my G-d, forever-- in Thee is my trust. "For thy salvation do I hope, O L-rd! I hope for Thy salvation, O L-rd! O L-rd, for Thy salvation do I hope!"

Amen! Amen!

Last night I was blessed with a VERY special gift from a good friend from church named Bob, who graciously presented me with an original copy of the “Civil War Atlas to accompany Steele's American Campaigns.” This magnificent collection of 130+ wide-format military maps and annotated battle order data was prepared by the Department of Military Art & Engineering, United States Military Academy, for its course in Military History West Point, N. Y.  August, 1941. Even better, this copy has the annotations and notes from the student that used it.

The campaigns covered are: First Bull Run, Henry and Donelson, Shiloh, Peninsular, Jackson’s Valley, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Stones River, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Chickamauga, Battles Around Chattanooga, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Petersburg, Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville. I hope to share some scans of some of these in the future.

My oldest son Dylan was offered a spot and signed a letter of intent with the University of Northwestern Ohio high-performance racing technology program. GO RACERS!

I literally just walked in the door after returning from a wonderful day at the Manassas Museum. My talk on “The Great Revival” (w/ devotions from 'The Southern Cross') went very well. There was not an empty chair in their entire conference room and we sold at least a case of books. I was told that it was the biggest turnout for their ‘Lunchtime Lecture Series’ to date and I have been invited back again.

I really enjoyed the questions and stories that visitors shared with me as I signed books in the museum gallery and I made a few contacts who promised to email me some of their local ancestor's private histories.

I was also able to do a follow-up interview for the article they are running on me in the September 19th issue of the Bull Run Observer. Special thanks to Nicole, Jane, and Heidi for their grace and hospitality, as well as everyone in attendance today (especially the group from Grace Methodist Church.)

Per usual, I will post the transcripts over on my website later this week. Tomorrow it’s back to the office and we have a recruiter from another NASCAR-related high-performance racing-school coming to the house to court our son. Needless to say I’ll be busy for the next few days.

UPDATE: This blessing was in my In-Box this morning: I wanted say how much I enjoyed your presentation yesterday. It was so refreshing to see someone use their faith in the manner that you do. Overtly religious works are a rare and wonderful thing in today's society. I have lived in Virginia all my life and had two kin fall at Second Manassas. Your talk about the soldiers and citizens finding a sense of peace amidst the war and the Confederate prayer that you quoted from is exactly what I pray they felt when the end came. Thank you so much. I do look forward to reading your book. - Nancy

BTW: My next book signing will be at Spotsylvania Presbyterian Church on September 7th (Fellowship Hall) in between services. They run at 8:15, 9:45, and 11:15. I’ll be signing multiple titles and would love to see you there.