"The old families of Virginia will form connections with low people, and sink into the mass of overseers' sons and daughters".
- John Randolph of Roanoke
Earthworks
Civil War Earthworks were the stout Confederate defensive fortifications built from dirt and sweat. These hallowed fields were where our ancestors gave their lives hunkered down in the damp, dim interiors so long ago.
Each man had learned by hard experience to feel that his life depended upon his rifle and his spade.
A trench is the simplest form of shelter and the most quickly made. Earth from this excavation was heaped around it until it was high enough to protect the defenders from enemy view and thick enough to intercept enemy fire.
Trees and brush and anything which might be used by the enemy for a screen was cleared away.
The Staunton River Battlefield State Park features an extensive set of earthworks(fort). Many remaining Civil War earthworks have become victims of erosion inspite of efforts to save them. The fortifications in the Staunton River Battlefield State Park have been ranked among "the most well preserved" earthworks in the State of Virginia and are included on the National Register of Historic Places.
