Lincoln at the Crossroads Alliance

3713 S. George Mason Drive, Suite 1302
Falls Church, VA 22041-3761
Telephone and Fax (703) 820-1904

What Is the Lincoln at the Crossroads Alliance?

Background

Lincoln at the Crossroads Alliance (“The Alliance”) was created to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln’s Grand Review of Union troops at Bailey’s Crossroads on Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia, on November 20, 1861. While 70,000 troops participated in what is the largest military parade in the United States to date, few people, including thousands of school children, know of the event today or the historical importance of the Bailey’s Crossroads area.Thus, the Alliance has been established primarily to bring new honor to this region of Northern Virginia through prominent recognition of this historic Civil War event.

After the defeat of the Union Army on July 21, 1861, at the First Battle of Manassas, President Lincoln appointed Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan as commander of the demoralized army. A superb organizer, McClellan quickly rebuilt the army and, on November 20, 1861, staged a formal military review between Munson’s Hill and Bailey’s Crossroads to instill pride and renew motivation both in the Army and the nation. Lincoln and his Cabinet attended. The 70,000 troops that marched included seven divisions under the command of Generals McCall, Heintzelman, Smith, Franklin, Blender, Porter, and McDowell. Other Union military that participated were seven regiments of cavalry numbering approximately 8,000 men; 90 regiments of infantry; and 20 batteries of artillery. More than 20 generals, commanding divisions and brigades, with five times the number of staff officers, mounted on highly mottled horses, completed the great spectacle of the parade, which was witnessed not only by President Lincoln, his Cabinet, and other dignitaries, but also by an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 spectators, according to a news story published November 21, 1861, in the New York Times.

The Alliance’s Objectives—Mission Statement

The Alliance has three primary objectives:

To re–enact the “Grand Review” during its 150th Anniversary at Bailey’s Crossroads on Leesburg Pike in 2011, and establish future re–enactments every five years;
To erect a sculpture–an important work of public art–of President Lincoln and a bas relief of the Grand Review.

The Alliance also strives to:

Employ Lincoln’s legacy to inspire a concept of what it means to be an American, with the byproduct of encouraging assimilation among naturalized Americans and encouraging citizenship in others;
Foster increased historical education and promote educational activities through the placement of historic markers and development of related educational materials;
Inspire community cohesiveness in the Bailey’s Crossroads area through the commemoration of a shared historical legacy.

Vision Statement

The Sesquicentennial of Lincolns Grand Review of the Army of the Potomac will take place on November 12, 2011. As the original review consisted of 70,000 soldiers divided into seven marching divisions, the Sesquicentennial will consist of approximately 5,000 soldiers/Civil War civilians divided into five marching divisions. Each marching division will be headed by a ceremonial detachment and marching band representing each of the five uniformed services (Army Navy Air Force Marines Coast Guard). The Parade will include a large contingent of active personnel from the U.S. Armed Forces and Virginia National Guard.

The placement of the major public art work in the form of a bronze statue of President Lincoln at the Grand Review will be created by the world renowned sculptor of historical monuments, Ron Tunison, from Cairo, New York.

The Alliance will also facilitate the placement of historic markers along Route 7 (between Alexandria and Falls Church, Virginia) and on Columbia Pike (between the Air Force Memorial and Annandale). The Alliance anticipates coordination with the jurisdictions of Alexandria, Bailey’s Crossroads, Arlington, Fairfax and Annandale in the development and placement of multiple historic markers denoting activities directly connected to Lincolns Grand Review or other Civil War events. This objective would have an expected completion date of 2015 being the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War.

The Alliance intends to commission a painting of the Grand Review of 1861, as part of the commemoration activities in November, 2011. The artist is Bradley Schmehl from York, Pennsylvania, an international recognized artist of Civil War paintings. Another secondary objective is to create a commemorative medallion of the Grand Review. A petition has been made to the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee for the issuance of a stamp on the Grand Review of 1861 and Julia Howe Wards Battle Hymn of the Republic.

An art exhibit, place to be determined, on November 9-12, 2011 and a concert to be held at the Schlessinger Center for the Performing Arts at the campus of Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus, on November 11, 2011 at 2:00pm with the participation of one of the Armed Forces Bands, e.g. the Marine Band, is also envisioned.

On November 10-11, 2011 lectures will be held at Northern Virginia Community College/Alexandria Campus entitled (1) Founding of Baileys Cross Roads; (2) Grand Review of 1861; (3) History of Barnum and Bailey Circus & Great Northern Virginia Elephant Hunt of 1906; and, (4) Baileys Crossroads Today - Changes in 20th and 21st century.

There is also a plan to hold three Balls at Arlington House, also known as the Custis-Lee Mansion at Arlington National Cemetery on November 9-11, 2011.

The Alliance is working on the following tasks:

Create a Community Volunteer Corps to assist with proposal writing, public releations campaigns, fundraising and administrative tasks;
Publicize its mission to solicit the involvement of established re-enactment organizations to ensure strong participation in 2011;
Raise funds to undertake the work of the Alliance,a nonprofit 501(3)c organization;
Create alliances with other organizations involved in the commemoration of the Sesquicentennial and solicit the assistance of volunteers for a myriad of tasks that lie ahead.

More Information

Lincoln at the Crossroads Alliance Web Site

You can also contact us by mail

You can send us your mail addressed to:

Bailey’s Crossroads Revitalization Corporation
Mason District Governmental Center
6507 Columbia Pike
Annandale, VA 22003

Benefits of Membership

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How to Become a Member

Download the BCRC Membership Application Form and mail it to us along with your payment. For more information on becoming a BCRC member please contact a membership representative.