Saturday, October 10, 2026 · 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park — 6541 Saylers Creek Rd., Rice, VA
In September 1864, a group of Confederate agents boarded a passenger steamer on Lake Erie with a plan that, if successful, could have set the northern frontier ablaze. This lecture examines the seizure of the Philo Parsons and the audacious scheme to capture USS Michigan and free prisoners from Johnson’s Island. Through court testimony, newspaper accounts, and diplomatic correspondence, visitors will explore how espionage, cross border networks, and calculated risk nearly carried the war onto the inland seas. By the end of the presentation, the Civil War appears not only as a clash of armies, but as a conflict shaped by conspiracy, ambition, and the thin line between bold strategy and reckless failure. This program will be presented rain or shine. For questions about this program, please contact the Visitor Center at 804-561-7510 or email Shannah. Winchester@dcr.virginia.gov. FAQ Rules and regulations Pet policy Dont move firewood Feature articles Public Safety and Law Enforcement