Oorah! Marine Corps makes sure a recovered Schenkl artillery shell is safe, hands it over to Liberia House in Manassas, Va., ahead of its 200th birthday bash

Photos of returned shell (top) and after its discovery in April (below, City of Manassas)

The Liberia House in Manassas, Va., recently received an unwrapped present ahead of its 200th birthday celebration. The hand-delivered item arrived with no fanfare or box, but it did include a rather unique card.

“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.

The striking Liberia House was made from bricks fashioned from red clay on site (City of Manassas)

The fuse was not present at the time of discovery, but Virginia State Police considered the small shell to be a live round. They held it until explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians at Marine Corps Base Quantico could take custody.

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 200^th 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 2^nd 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

19th century photo of house shows men in fashionable clothing (Library of Congress)

Quantico routinely gets requests to handle possible explosive ordnance, including some dating to the Revolutionary War and Civil War. Calls come in from the National Park Service, museums and state and local governments, among other agencies.

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.

Remembering 'Skip' Wells at hallowed ground: Young Marine stood in harm's way

Salute to "Skip" Wells (photos by ANHS volunteer Hugh Peacock)

About 1,000 people attended this past weekend’s living history event at Andersonville National Historic Site in Georgia. Among the ceremonies was one honoring Marine Lance Cpl. Squire “Skip” Wells, 21, of Marietta, Ga. Wells was a living historian who attended programs at Andersonville and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, where he was a volunteer with the park artillery crew. These remarks (courtesy of his office) were made by U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), who represents southwest Georgia.

“Good afternoon. Thank you for your introduction park Superintendent Charles Sellers. We have been blessed with a beautiful day today at the Andersonville National Historic Site.

"As we are gathered here today, I would like to recognize and  thank all our veterans and service members – our family, our friends, and our neighbors – for the sacrifices made to defend and protect this great nation. Your contributions are unparalleled, and your courage and bravery have made this world a better place to live.

Rep. Bishop

"This afternoon we have come to hallowed ground. Whether today is the first time you’ve had a chance to view the  Andersonville Historic Site, the National POW Museum and Memorial, and Living History, or whether you’ve visited many times, you will always come away with a deeper appreciation of the courage and sacrifice that is depicted here.

"Andersonville is home to everyone who stands up for our veterans, POWs, and service members. And as we are reminded today, Andersonville is home to everyone who helps make sure America remembers what our brave men and women endured in defense of freedom for the rest of us.

"Today, we gather for a somber occasion. We pause to honor the memories of Squire “Skip” Wells, whose life was sacrificed during the tragic shooting in Chattanooga, Tennessee last July. We can never forget the sacrifice of those who paid the ultimate price.

"Thanks to the vigilance of our armed forces, terrorism does often strike so close to home. But last year, it struck at the heart of Georgia when a young Marine from Marietta and four other Marines were gunned down in Chattanooga by a terrorist with a vendetta.

"Those that knew Lance Corporal Wells have said he was a proud Marine, a devoted Christian, and a true hero. But Skip was also a young man with pride and honor and love for his family.

"The death of Skip Wells, the four other brave service members who died in Chattanooga, and the millions of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines throughout the years have not only given us their lives in defense of our nation, but have given us so much more. They gave us their futures, and all the love and hopes and dreams that will never be felt or experienced.

"Nothing we say will replace the loss, the heartbreak, and the pain of his family and friends, those who knew him best. But we can remember the ultimate sacrifice of Skip Wells, today and tomorrow. May we never, ever, forget the great men and women who stand in harm's way every single day and protect our homeland. Certainly, as it is said, ‘This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.’

"May God bless our service members, and may he continue to bless the United States of America.”

Andersonville ceremony will honor fallen Marine, living historian 'Skip' Wells

Skip Wells

A memorial ceremony Saturday (March 12) at Andersonville National Historic Site in middle Georgia will honor a Marine who took part in Civil War living history programs until he was killed with four other service members last year in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park cannon crew will perform a salute to colleague Lance Cpl. Squire “Skip” Wells. Wells, 21, of Marietta, Ga., participated in Andersonville events, too, said Jody Mays of Andersonville.

The 2:15 p.m. ceremony, which includes remarks by U.S. Rep Sanford Bishop, is taking place during the site’s living history weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can learn more about the Confederate prison called Camp Sumter and the lives of POWs and guards.

Living historians portraying Civil War soldiers will perform a 21-gun salute to Wells in a grassy area near the Wisconsin monument (just inside the stockade boundary and not far from the visitor center). The event includes the playing of Taps, the cannon firing and a benediction, Mays said.

In July 2015, a gunman killed four Marines and a Navy sailor at a Navy operational center in Chattanooga. Wells’ mother said, "My son died doing what he loved for the love of his country and his family."

The National Park Service said, “No matter what uniform Skip wore, he remains the epitome of a dedicated professional whose service cannot be replaced.”

Wells joined the Kennesaw gun crew after seeing the artillery in action while on a visit, according to the Civil War News. “If he wasn’t shooting cannons with the Marines, he was shooting one here with us,” crew member Andy Cole said.

The Marine was knowledgeable and proficient with two centuries worth of cannons, Cole said last summer. “One time, he had just come off of training in the desert with the Marines, and within 48 or 72 hours of getting back here he was out shooting cannons with us this summer in a wool uniform. That’s dedication. And he loved doing it,” Cole told the Civil War News.

The Andersonville weekend includes guard drills and artillery demonstrations. There is no admission fee. Living historians will be in the prison site from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.