Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia

In today’s excerpt from Philip’s Civil War Diary, he mentions being on the picket line, or rather slipping the picket line, and also visiting Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

Picket lines were established to protect a military boundary around a camp or to establish the perimeter of the army’s direct control. One of the primary duties of a picket was to provide early warning of enemy infiltration or attack. “Slipping the picket” refers to an individual or group of soldiers temporarily abandoning their post on the picket line. An attempt to "slip the picket" could be an effort to gather intelligence, launch a surprise attack, facilitate desertion, or in the case of Philip, search for peaches and apples. If caught, a negligent soldier could be severely punished or even executed.

Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia was established more than 250 years ago. George Washington helped fund the construction of the church and regularly worshipped here. Prior to the Civil War Robert E. Lee also worshipped at Christ Church.

A postcard showing the interior of Christ Church.

During the Civil War, the U.S. Army seized many churches for use as hospitals and stables. Because of Christ Church’s reputation as the place of worship for George Washington, it remained in use as a church where U.S. Army chaplains conducted services. Washingon’s pew and communion rail are still in place at Christ Church today, as is Lee’s pew.

George Washington's Pew

A white door with a name tag on it AI-generated content may be incorrect.
Lee's Pew
Sources:

__________

AUGUST 8TH
Our pickets were driven in by the guerillas and all of us was called out immediately. After staying in the fort for two hours we discovered no enemy so went back to bed.

AUGUST 14TH
Got a pass to Alexandria. Went to the church that Washington was the founder of it. Saw the pew of the general and also that of the traitor Lee used to worship in when he was loyal. Had a heavy rain storm this morning.

AUGUST 17TH
Had an inspection of battery by Brigadier General Haskel (likely Brig. Gen. Llewellyn F. Haskel). Inspection of defenses around Washington …by Lieutenant Van Vie of the 4th Brigade DeRussy Division. Had a rain storm.

AUGUST 18TH
Went in the country after peaches and apples. Got caught in the river. Slipped the picket to get out. Had to do the same to get back. Orders came for four hours drill daily.

AUGUST 19TH
Attempted to slip the picket for apples but failed and had to go back empty handed. Better luck next time. One of our men died on the 12th of this month. Their name was Nicholas Reiter of Marietta, Ohio. Was taken sick while on guard. Lived three days. Typhoid or malarial fever was the disease (I found an online reference that listed his cause of death as “lung fever”).

 

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