Sons of the American Revolution participate in multi-event commemoration ceremony

On April 17, 2021, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution participated in a multi-event commemoration ceremony. The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter sponsored a Patriots Day event, coupled with a grave marking, for Brigadier General Edward Stevens at the Masonic Cemetery in Culpeper. We gathered, in part, to honor Patriots Day.

Members of the Colonel James Wood II Chapter, standing left to right: Bill Schwetke, Mike Weyler, Mike Dennis, Sean Carrigan, Dale Corey, Barry Schwoerer, Jacob Schowerer and Ken Bonner. Seated: Charles Jameson. Photo/Ken Bonner

After the French and Indian War, Great Britain enacted a series of measures to raise revenue from the American colonies. This included the Sugar Act, Stamp Act and Townshend Acts, which created a great deal of tension in the Colonies. Resistance was exceptionally strong in Boston, resulting in the 1770 Boston Massacre and the 1773 Boston Tea Party. On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry had warned, “The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!” Less than a month later, that clash of arms occurred on April 19th at Lexington, Concord and the Battle at Menotomy.

On April 18, 1775, Dr Joseph Warren (namesake of Warren County) learned the British were marching that night on Concord to search for arms. Warren dispatched Paul Revere and William Dawes to alert residents of the news. At dawn on April 19th, several hundred British troops arrived in Lexington and met 77 militiamen on the town green. A shot was fired, resulting in several British volleys. Eight militiamen were killed with nine wounded. The British continued into Concord and not finding the arms they anticipated began burning the town. Hundreds of militiamen met a contingent of British soldiers at Concord’s North Bridge. The British fired in what became known as the “shot heard ’round the world”.

Color guard preparing to present the colors. Photo/Ducie Minich

As the British set out to return to Boston, almost 2,000 militiamen began attacking the retreating column. The fighting continued as the British reached Lexington and met reinforcements, and the battle continued into the town of Menotomy, which became the bloodiest half-mile of the British retreat. With this battle, the Revolutionary War began. The colonists had proved they could stand up to one of the most powerful armies in the world at that time. This day became known as Patriots Day to honor the beginning of American independence.

Immediately after this ceremony, General Edward Stevens was honored with a grave marking ceremony. General Stevens had joined the Culpeper Minutemen in 1775 and commanded a battalion at the Battle of Great Bridge. He would serve as Colonel of the 10th Virginia Regiment, gaining honor for himself at the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown. Less than two years later, he resigned. In 1779, he became Brigadier General in the Virginia Militia, taking 700 men to join General Horatio Gates’ Army in the south. They fought at Camden, South Carolina, and at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, where he was wounded in the leg. He later led a brigade at the Siege of Yorktown.

Participants at the commemoration. Photo/Ducie Minich

Emceeing the ceremony was Culpeper Minutemen (CMM) Chapter President and Colonel James Wood II (CJWII) dual member Charles Jameson.

Participating in the event from CJWII were Dale Corey, Sean Carrigan, Barry Schwoerer, Jacob Schwoerer and Sean Schwoerer. Dual members included Bill Schwekte (CMM), Mike Dennis (CMM), Ken Bonner (Fairfax Resolves) and Mike Weyler (Colonel William Grayson and Order of Founders and Patriots of America (OFPA)).

A musket salute was fired by Ken Bonner, Sean Carrigan, Dave Cook and Barry Schwoerer.

Presenting wreaths were Virginia SAR President Jeff Thomas, Charles Jameson (CMM), Mike Weyler (Governor, OFPA), Dale Corey (CJWII), Barry Schwoerer (Colonel William Grayson), Dave Cook (Fairfax Resolves), Ken Morris (George Mason), Paula Schwoerer (Elizabeth McIntosh Hamill, DAR) and Jacob Schwoerer (Colonel William Grayson Society, Children of the American Revolution).