September 1862 - Big events in the Civil War

150 years ago this month big things happened in the Civil War. The Battle of Antietam, which was the bloodiest day in American history, was fought near Sharpsburg MD on September 17th. On September 22, in the wake of the modest Union victory at Antietam, President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation. From that point on, the Union mission was the freedom of all people in America, rather than just the number of stars on the flag. This gave the war a different and much greater significance than it had had in the first year.

Before the battle could take place, the Confederate Army would need to cross the Potomac River from Virginia to Maryland. The person most involved in selecting the place to cross was Col. Elijah White. Below is a recently found letter from White about the crossing writen years after the war.

Today the property on the Virginia side where the crossing took place is owned by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and will be open to the public next Spring as White's Ford Regional Park.

White is in the front row holding the sword

PEOPLE’S NATIONAL BAN

Of Leesburg VA

Leesburg VA June 2, 1896

Gen. E. A. Carman

My Dear Gen.,

Answering your letter of May 25. Sorry I can give no information as to Munford’s Cavalry Brigade Sept. 17th, I was not at the battle of Antietam. But I can speak positively about where Gen. Lee crossed into Maryland Sept. 1862. It was White’s Ford. The night before crossing Gen. Jackson’s Headquarters was at Big Spring, house of “Washington Ball” two miles NE of Leesburg on Leesburg & Pot. Of Rocks road. Gen. Lee’s at the house of Henry T. Harrison, Leesburg, VA. By order of Gen. Jackson I went with him to Gen. Lee that night at which time they determined on the march for the next day. Gen. Jackson wanted me to go in front the next day, I did so, crossed at White’s Ford on my own at that time. Camped the next night near Three Springs Frederick Co. Md.

I will mention here one of Gen. Jackson’s peculiarities. He ordered me to attend him, starting a little after dark. He rode over the road we march[ed] that day nearly back to the Potomac River, then back to camp again—not speaking a word.

Would be glad to furnish you any information in my power, Can give information about Leesburg.

Most Resp’y, E.V. White

Top GFOA Awards for Budget & Audit

News Story from the Sun Gazette Newspaper

Regional Park Authority Wins 5th Straight Budget Awards

Posted: Friday, September 7, 2012 10:34 am

For the fifth year in a row, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) has won top honors from the Government Financial Officers Association (GFOA) for the agency’s budget and annual financial audit.

Only a small percentage of government agencies have the level of financial transparency to achieve these awards, and even fewer can win these awards consistently over five years, Park Authority officials said.

The GFOA gave the Park Authority a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the agency’s audit, or Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. This award is only given to organizations that receive a “clean audit,” are in full compliance with all new accounting standards and controls, and present their budgets in a manner that is clear and easy to understand.

The GFOA also gave the Park Authority a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, which the association bestows on organizations that produce budgets that are clear and easy to understand, as well as reflect revenues and expenses.

“It is a great honor to partner with a well-run organization like the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority,” said Susan Datta, Fairfax County’s chief financial officer. “We put a high value on the GFOA Awards as measure of excellence in financial management.”

Park Authority officials said they strive to tie the agency’s budget to its strategic goals and use the budget as a tool to track performance.

“On behalf of the NVRPA Board of Directors, I wish to congratulate the entire staff for all the hard work and intensive planning associated with these top honors,” said NVRPA board chairman Brian Knapp. “In our current five-year strategic plan, the board has attached great importance to developing an annual budget for both operating and capital expenditures that is tied directly to the goals and objectives we have identified for our parks. This is the commitment we have made to our six member jurisdictions, and it is nice to see how the Park Authority has been recognized for five straight years in developing and implementing such innovative and sound budgets.”

Knapp added, “These accolades also reflect the total commitment of our employees spread across 25 parks who are working efficiently and diligently every day to provide recreational experiences to the citizens of Northern Virginia.”