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Photos of returned shell (top) and after its discovery in April (below, City of Manassas) |
“The following ordnance items have been
certified free from bulk explosives, have been certified inert, indicated by an
accompanying inert certification.”
U.S. Marines stationed about 25 miles away
returned a Civil War Schenkl artillery shell that was found in April by contractors
using heavy equipment at a creek near Liberia House, which has a rich history.
“At my request, they did not clean the shell
up except to remove loose dirt. So it looks very much like it did when it
was discovered, except now it has a big hole in the top from being worked on,”
said Mary Helen Dellinger, curator at the city-run Manassas Museum, which
manages the historic site.
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The striking Liberia House was made from bricks fashioned from red clay on site (City of Manassas) |
The Schenkl shell would have contained black
powder but the Picket was unable to determine whether it still was present 160
years later. An EOD technician at the base who answered questions Tuesday about
explosive ordnance said he did not have details on this shell.
The technician said if any black powder was
present the item would have been carefully pressure washed and cleaned with a
filtration system.
Hard to say which side had this particular round
Local officials believe the shell will be a great addition to Oct. 11 programming marking the 200th anniversary of Liberia House. The 10 a.m.-4 p.m. event includes tours, music, 19th century games, a demonstration of quilting and storytelling.
Manassas, obviously, is associated with two major battles and numerous smaller operations and skirmishes.
The Schenkl was primarily used
by Federal artillerymen in a variety of cannons, including the Parrott.
“As far as Federal vs. Confederate shell – it’s difficult to say,” said Dellinger (left in city Instagram post) of this example.
“We do know that during the Battle
of Bull Run Bridge the 2nd New York was stationed on the
property (exact location unknown) and were firing at the Confederates at Fort
Beauregard (located about ½ mile from Liberia). Because of the history of both
sides being on the property during the war, it’s really hard to say which side
left the shell behind.”
About
400,000 Schenkl shells were made during the Civil War. They came in several
styles, including ones that contained case shot. It had a Papier-mache sabot.
Shell will make its public debut Oct. 11
The Prince William County property served as headquarters for Confederate and
Union forces early in the war. Jefferson Davis (in 1861) and Abraham Lincoln
(in 1862) came here to confer with their generals. “Proof of occupation is
displayed as faded graffiti left by Union soldiers is visible on interior
walls,” the city says.
Soldiers from both sides wrote graffiti in many
structures in the region. Those surviving at Liberia Hall are Union.
Dellinger previously told the Picket past archaeological digs at Liberia yielded numerous Civil War-related pieces, among them buttons, bullets, small bits a pieces of metal that relate to horse equipage, other accoutrements and a sword -- “the coolest thing until this shell.”
Manassas touts its extensive Black history through a trail for residents and visitors. Liberia House tells the story of the enslaved people on the land at the time of the war.
Liberia House was built for William J. and
Harriett Weir in 1825. Enslaved laborers did most of the construction on the
two-story, Federal style brick home. They are believed to have crafted much of
the stylish interior, too. Its 1,600 acres made Liberia a large working farm
and plantation.
Dellinger said the birthday party will not have a Civil War focus but there will be come wartime components, including the debut of the Schenkl round.
”After that, I plan on leaving the shell at the house so when we have it open for public events it’s on hand for people to see.”
Marines keep busy with calls about ordnance
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19th century photo of house shows men in fashionable clothing (Library of Congress) |
The Quantico EOD
technician told the Picket the team will try to render them safe if possible.
“Everybody has stockpiles they need certified, looked at, or inerted,
on top of people finding (items) in their yards in Northern Virginia.”
Liberia House is located at 8601 Portner Ave., Manassas. The
house is open for special events and tours and an annual bee
festival. The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset. For more information,
contact the Manassas Museum at 703-368-1873.