Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 9 · column 1 of 5 · from the scan, no model involved
By Betsy Parker
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
Humans have relied on horses since the dawn of time, and there is no stronger bond than between horse and rider on the field of battle.
Narrated by Flint Hill filmmaker Ronald F. Maxwell, a new DVD release of the film “Horses of Gettysburg” captures the relationship between soldiers and their horses. Maxwell is the director of the epic films “Gettysburg” and “Gods and Generals.”
“Horses of Gettysburg” is the fourth of the “Civil War Minutes” documentaries in the “Minutes of History” series.
Filmed in high-definition with charging horses from area reenactment units, battlefield panoramas from Gettysburg and other historic sites, and compelling black-and-white photos along with five action shots, the epic cinematic documentary tells the story of the estimated 72,000 horses and mules that fought at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Other chapters in the nearly twohour film uncover strategies employed by soldiers and quartermasters to ensure that the millions of animals in service with the North and South remained healthy and well-trained for action.
All of Virginia’s horse country and the Piedmont region were hit hard by the 1861-1865 conflict. Horses and mules — used for labor and sport in the largely agrarian society prior to the war — were purchased for artillery duly, for mounted battle, messenger and courier service and other work.
Horses of Virginia suffered terribly during and after the drawn-out Valley Campaign of 1862, that stretched Confederate lines thin and depleted the horse supply. The Southern government began to requisition horses from private owners for military service as army mounts were lost at an alarming rate during battle.
The Civil War began April 12,1861 when Fort Sumter, S.C. was fired upon,
91.5%