Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Civil War Event - John Mosby's Rangers at Mount Bleak, Virginia

 
Paris, Virginia, by Reed A. George
Paris, Virginia, by Reed A. George
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4
iso160, f8, 1/250 sec

On Sunday, May 13, 2012, I attend a Civil War historical event at Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane, Virginia. This is amazingly serene countryside, as the panorama of nearby Paris above demonstrates.

This area was deeply involved in the Civil War, and was home to John S. Mosby, a confederate officer turned vigilante, who constantly tested and perturbed federal forces in the heart of Virginia. Mosby was known as the "Gray Ghost," based on his rangers' ability to appear and disappear seemingly instantly, using local "safe houses" to harbor himself and his men. In fact, the historic home at Mount Bleak in the park was one of those safe houses.


Rich Gillespie, by Reed A. George
Richard Gillespie, Director of Education for the Mosby Heritage Area Association
by Reed A. George
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4
iso160, f2.8, 1/125 sec

The evening's event presented several vignettes of individuals from the period, played by local reenactors associated with the Gray Ghost Interpretive Group. Starting near sundown, we listened to their stories as the sky grew dark, the program transformed to lantern light - wonderful for setting the mood and allowing our minds to go far back in time.


George Slater (Reenacted), by Reed A. George
In the Role of Estate Owner and Former Mosby Ranger, George M. Slater
by Reed A. George
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4
iso160, f2.8, 1/200 sec


Local Virginia Girl and Mosby Aid, by Reed A. George

Local Girl and Aid to Mosby's Rangers, by Reed A. George
by Reed A. George
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4
iso3200, f1.5, 1/800 sec


Former Mosby Ranger, by Reed A. George
Memoirs of a Ranger, by Reed A. George
by Reed A. George
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4
iso400, f1.8, 1/1250 sec


Lone Federal, by Reed A. George
Lone Federal Soldier Watches From the Shadows, by Reed A. George
by Reed A. George
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4
iso6400, f1.4, 1/15 sec


Rich Gillespie, by Reed A. George
The Tour Wraps Up After Dark, by Reed A. George
by Reed A. George
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4
iso640, f1.4, 1/25 sec


(Click Here) for more information on the beautiful Sky Meadows Park, which is about an hour east of Washington, DC, and is a beautiful natural and historical reserve.

(Click Here) for more about the Mosby Heritage Area Association, who put on this event. They are excellent at bringing civil war history to life.

Here are a few more images of the beautiful scenery in the area:


Cultivation, by Reed A. George
Cultivation, by Reed A. George
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 14mm f2.5
iso400, f8, 1/250 sec


Whitewashed Fence, by Reed A. George
Whitewashed Fence, by Reed A. George
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Macro-Elmarit 45mm f2.8
iso400, f2.8, 1/400 sec

Ivy, by Reed A. George
Ivy, by Reed A. George
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4
iso400, f8, 1/80 sec


As you can see from the exposure information, as the evening wore on, I relied on the Summilux for its fast f1.4 aperture, and increased iso to 6400 near the end. It was a nice challenge to capture the event in near darkness. I hope I've done well enough that you can get a feel for this early summer evening in the countryside.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 
 

3 comments:

  1. Beautiful series, Reed - nice additions to your Civil War portfolio. The b & w shots are especially emotive. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Reed, we were at the event as well. Thank you for capturing the beauty of Mount Bleak and the period dress. The B&W is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am very happy to hear that you enjoyed the event, and my photographs!

    Reed
    DMC-365.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete