On May 24, 2009, Frank Stringfellow Camp held a special  commemoration of the 148th anniversary of the wounding of the first Confederate soldier, Pvt. Peyton Anderson. The ceremony was at the stone marker near the spot where he was shot in Fairfax VA.

Below: Don Hakenson (local historian and Mosby expert), Mike Shumaker, Tom Phillips, Bill Moore, and Brian Adams (a guest from Arlington).

The marker today (not in its original spot) is in front of the Econo Lodge at 9700 Fairfax Boulevard/ Lee Highway (U.S. Routes 50/29). It is just west of Fairfax Circle and is on the right when traveling west.

Peyton L. Anderson, Jr. was born on July 4, 1837, in Rappahannock County, Virginia. At the outbreak of the war, young Peyton enlisted as a private in the Rappahannock Cavalry (that would later become a part of Company C, Sixth Virginia Cavalry) on April 22, 1861.  A little over a month after enlistment he would be forever recognized as the first Confederate to shed his blood for the Confederacy. This happened on the morning of May 27, 1861, while on picket duty near Flint Hill, not far from Fairfax Court House, in Fairfax County, Virginia.  On June 27, 1927, the Fairfax County Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy would establish and unveil a marker near the spot where he was shot.  The unveiling ceremony was well received and largely attended.  Among those present were Mrs. Anderson, the widow of the gallant soldier, and many of his descendants. The marker has since been moved from its original dedication spot near the intersection of Blake Lane and Lee Highway. Thus the statement of 122 feet is no longer accurate.