Save the Alrich Farm!

The Alrich Farm is twice hallowed ground. It was involved in actions that were a part of both the Chancellorsville Campaign and the Spotsylvania Campaign.

On May 1, 1863, Maj. Gen. Henry Slocum's XII Corps advanced east on the Orange Plank Road from Chancellorsville. An artillery duel and infantry skirmishing broke out between Slocum and elements of Confederate Maj. Gen. Richard H. Anderson's division, prompting the Alrich family to seek refuge in their semi-flooded cellar. It was near the Alrich farm that Slocum received orders from Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker to halt his forward movement and to withdraw back to Chancellorsville.

On May 15, 1864, the Alrich Farm saw action once again. It earned the distinction of being the location where the first direct combat occurred between the United States Colored Troops (USCT's) and the Army of Northern Virginia north of the James River when the 23rd USCT skirmished there with Brig. Gen. Thomas Rosser's Confederate calvary.

With your support, we can protect the memory and meaning embedded in every acre, weaving the threads of past and present into a living testament to resilience and progress. Although the lion’s share of the property’s cost will come through grants, there are ancillary expenses, including the removal of a modern house structure to ultimately fulfill the grant’s requirements and return the property as close as possible to its wartime appearance. We are looking to raise $100,000 to help us with these expenses.

However, this three-acre parcel is only the first of several adjoining tracts (totaling over 30 acres) that we will work to acquire from the landowner going forward. Lastly, this property is ideally situated for interpretive opportunities that will allow the public to learn about the important historic events that happened there and enjoy its green space.

The Preservation Story

In February 2025, the then owners reached out to founding CVBT board member Johnny Mitchell about the possible preservation of the property. He in turn spoke to John Hennessey, retired Chief Historian of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, as well as another former CVBT board member, about the historic importance of the land. At that point they reached out to CVBT about our interest. After conversations with the owners, an agreement was worked out and CVBT closed on the first piece of the acquisition in August 2025.

This is the time to rally to save this land!

We are counting on you!