By Ed Simmons, Jr.
cpreporter@lcs.net
Frank Carneal of Penola Road "galvanized" himself last Thursday in a Yankee uniform, Company D of the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry, to make a Civil War presentation to Ms. Kate Taylor's 3rd grade class at Madison Elementary. The kids reportedly were thrilled.
With Frank was his son Willie in Confederate uniform. Frank, who takes care of maintenance in the three Ladysmith schools, didn't stay "galvanized" for long, meaning he switched back to Confederate uniform once he got home to his place on Penola. This is where he sets up a Civil War encampment each year to commemorate the valor of southern soldiers fighting at desperate odds against Gen. Grant's invading army that swept through Caroline May 21 and 22, 1864.
Right out in front of his place, soldiers of Gen. Pickett's Virginia division entrenched to hold off massed Federal cavalry. "They were tryin' to slow'em down until they were ready for'em at North Anna," he said, where Lee fought Grant to a standstill. One of Frank's ancestors, Josiah Carneal of Company G, 30th Virginia Infantry, was among the Confederates defending Penola Road. Later in the day they fell back to another defense line on Polecat Creek.
At Frank's encampment, he's constructed a slew of tents, three cannons and he's set up mannequins in uniforms and period dress. He will again set up his encampment at this summer's Caroline County Agricultural Fair. "You get the feel of it like you were back there," he says. And indeed you do.