Historic Sandusky is a beautiful historical spot in Lynchburg, VA. Here the house built by Charles Johnston in 1808 still stands. The many plaques and brochures explain that the house is an excellent example of Federal-style architecture. Thomas Jefferson would occasionally visit when he was staying at his retreat home in Poplar Forest! The house changed hands a couple times throughout its history but the most exciting and crucial time in this history was during the civil war. The house at this time was owned by George C. Hutter.
Picture from Historic Sandusky Website
George Hutter's home was seized by General David Hunter of the Union army in June of 1864. Lynchburg was the hub of several different routes and was the second largest medical center in the south. Thus this city a significant point of interest to the Union army. They wanted to seize it and stop the Confederates from being able to go through or use this valuable intersection and medical hub. So Ulysses S Grant sent General David Hunter to go and seize it. General Hunter was known for his ruthlessness against the south throughout the nation. When residents of Lynchburg heard he was coming, they started training the young boys and old men that remained in Lynchburg. This was due to the fact that all the men that could fight were already part of the war and no longer at home. It was a frightening time to be a Lynchburg native.
Hunter set up base in the captured house of George Hutter. Historic Sandusky became the headquarters of the Union during the Battle of Lynchburg. On General Hunters staff at this point were Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley, two future presidents. However, the Battle of Lynchburg did not turn out as General Hunter had planned. General Robert E. Lee had sent Lt. General Early to help defend Lynchburg. However, the troops were split and delayed due to the trains and train tracks being in such disrepair. So, when the first group of troops arrived, they started helping fight against the Union. The citizens also came out screamed, made noise, and played drums and horns to make it seem as though the amount of the army was greater than it was. The plan worked. When General Hunter's command of troops was not able to win that same day, Hunter was convinced his men were outnumbered. He retreated in the middle of the night after allowing his men to ransack the Sandusky house. The Union force left behind around 100 wounded men in the barn behind the Sandusky house. The Confederate doctors attempted to help them as much as they could.
It is a wonderful place to visit. They have interesting exhibits on the medical aspect of Lynchburg during the Civil War and on the Battle of Lynchburg. The staff was well-versed in the history and provided the author with all the information on this blog. I learned a lot through visiting this site. Before visiting, I did not even know Lynchburg had a role in the Civil War, much less such an important one. It is important for all Virginians, and especially those in Lynchburg, to understand the nature of the Civil War and what exactly happened. This site, in particular, showed me a new side of the Union that I had never been taught before. The best way to ensure a greater future is to teach the mistakes of the past. Here is a picture of me at Historic Sandusky!
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