WARNING: As with all games played in the outdoors, ticks can be a problem. Consider using DEEP WOODS OFF, or something similar, and do a thorough tick check after exiting cache area and prior to getting into your vehicle.
HISTORY LESSON:
On May 12, 1862, Confederate General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's Valley Army plodded north along this road to threaten Front Royal and outflank General Nathaniel Banks' position at Strasburg. With the addition of General Richard S. Ewell's division, Jackson's command numbered nearly 17,000 men and 50 guns.
Jackson's Valley Army reached Front Royal on May 23rd. There, aided by spy Belk Boyd, it overwhelmed Banks' 1000 man detachment and continued toward Winchester to attack the main Union army, now in full retreat from Strasburg. Jackson's success was complete - he had defeated and driven Banks from the Valley and alarmed the Lincoln administration. In response to Jackson's bold move, a two-pronged Federal advance was to converge at Strasburg in an attempt to cut off Jackson's line of withdrawal south.
Jackson marched south to escape. Two Federal columns followed in close pursuit - General John C. Fremont on the Valley Pike and General James Shield in the Page Valley. If Shields could march quickly enough to overtake Jackson's forces in the main Valley, he and Fremont could unite and attack with a superior force. To prevent this combination, Jackson ordered his Calvary commander, Turner Asby, to destroy both the White House and Columbia Bridges. Asby dispatched CPT Samuel Coyner's Page County Company, which rode through "one of the most dreadful thunderstorms" in time to burn the White House Bridge at 4:00am on Jun 2nd - only one hour before Shileds' advance squad reached the swollen river. Shields, delayed for three days by the rising river, was forced to abandon his plan to join Fremont at New Market. Jackson defeated Fremont's and Shields' commands separately at Cross Keys and Port Republic June 8-9.
White House Bridge takes its name from the small building immediately north of the present day bridge. The early structure was the first home of pioneer Martin Kauffman. For a time it served as a meeting house where, as a minister, Kauffman served a Mennenite congregation.
Note: We travel through here often, so if there are any maintenance issues, please post a log or email me.
11.13.10: With our fourth cache, third replacement, we have resigned ourselves to having to place a smaller cache container. You are no longer looking for an ammo can, but a small container capable of holding small items and such. Still easy; just want to take cachers to see some interesting history and nab a cache too. Please ensure that it is hidden better than you found it, ensuring that it can not be seen from any direction. Thank you.
6.10.11: We're now up to our fifth cache, fourth replacement on this one. We're trying a different mindset and moving the cache out of what we had hoped was safe and fun. With each replacement, the cache container continues to shrink out of necessity. Sadly, there is no room for much of anything in this one. It's still easy; the history of the area remains our primary purpose.
3.10.12: Sadly, we continue to shrink the cache with each replacement. We believe this is our sixth cache and fifth replacement, but it could be seventh and sixth, so you can imagine how much smaller the container is from its original ammo box. Fingers are crossed for more than one day life for this one.
02.08.15: Replaced yet again. Surprisingly, it's been replaced with a larger cache container. Crossed fingers once again.
6.10.19: Surprise! Replaced once again and back to a smaller container. Bummer. Let’s see how long this one lasts. Fingers crossed as always. Side note. Weird... found the 02.08.15 replacement cache, but not the 04.12.17 replacement, and a second cache placed in a different location by a cacher that couldn’t find any cache. The 02.08.15 cache has been cleaned, log bagged, and returned to action. Also removed the second cache. (Couldn’t tell if the small snake living in the post was happy or sad about it.) Please hide the cache better than you found it and beware of snakes, ticks, etc. Good luck! Enjoy the hunt and history.
8.21.21: Well, though the cache was in its applicable place it did need replacing. Done! This time though, we've decided to go with a different mindset - we're going back to the original cache container idea. It has been replaced with a larger, easier to find cache, but will take some effort and patience to retrieve. You can do it! With each replacement, the cache container was shrinking, this time... it's grown and is currently stocked with swag! Still, the goal of this cache is to enjoy the area and history. Very cool.
8.18.23: Wow! What a change to the area! Though the changes didn't affect the cache itself, it's sad to see that huge OLD live oak that shaded the picnic table, that also no longer exists, is gone. It was a wonderful old tree and picnic area. You're also not able to see the White House from the area due to trees surrounding it, so be sure to drive down and take the side road to the river and the White House. It can be viewed while crossing the bridge. As for the cache, it has been replaced once again in the same area as the previous many caches but hidden a bit differently. Please take your time in retrieving and replacing the cache. If you do, it may last for the cachers to come behind you. Gentle is the key to this one. The main thing is to enjoy the history and area. Happy hunting!
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