Robert E. Crickenberger Historian & Author

Robert E. Crickenberger Jr. has researched and studied the topic of Civil War Point   Lookout   for over   forty   years.   His   presentations   on   the   occupation   of   Point   Lookout   are   based   on   that   extensive research    he    has    accumulated    in    those    years.    Bob    has    utilized    both    Confederate    and    federal accounts    to    conduct    tours    of    the    historical    locations,    including    the    Confederate    prison,    federal occupation,   and   their   auxiliary   sites.   He   has   written   and   assisted   in   designing   many   of   the   historical interpretive   signs   exhibited   throughout   Point   Lookout   State   Park,   as   well   as   the   park's   tour   book   and museum. Bob’s personal interest and involvement in Point Lookout began in January 1978 after discovering that his relative, Sergeant Daniel D. Crickenberger, Company G, 10 th Virginia, had been held there as a prisoner of war. Daniel was one of eleven Crickenberger’s of Bob’s family who fought for the Confederacy. Daniel was captured on May 12, 1864, at the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, arriving at Point Lookout on May 14 th by way of Belle Plain, Virginia (a massive holding area for captured Confederate soldiers during the War). He would remain at Point Lookout for three months after which he was later transferred to the prison in Elmira, New York in late July 1864, remaining there until his release in July 1865. Born in Washington D.C., Bob has lived all of his life in Southern Maryland. H e    has    been    a    husband, father,   and   grandfather   for   almost   fifty   years.   He is a veteran of the United   States   Navy,   having   served during    the    Vietnam    War    era    from    1971    to    1977. Shortly   after   leaving   the   service,   Bob   began   his   forty plus   year   sojourn   as   volunteer   and   living   historian   at Point   Lookout   State   Park   in   1978.   He   has   continually served   as   President   of   the   Friends   of   Point   Lookout, and   serves   as   Historic   Weapons   Safety   Officer   for the   Maryland   Park   Service   and   has   been   awarded the   title   of   Honorary   Ranger   for   the   Maryland   Park Service     for     his     dedication     and     organization     of historical   events.   He   has   been   instrumental   in   the reconstruction   and   restoration   of   both   the   Civil   War fort (the only earthen fort that remains in the state of Maryland) and the Civil War prison site. Bob’s familial lineage in the United States, began with his first ancestor, Johann Frederick Kruckeberg who, as a Hessian soldier, was captured on Christmas Day 1776 at the Battle of Trenton, New Jersey. Fortunately, he remained in the United States settling in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Since that time, Crickenberger’s would serve during the War of 1812, and the Civil War serving in the Confederate Army. Bob’s paternal grandfather served in the United States Army during World War I. Bob’s father served in the United States Navy during World War II and in the United States Marine Corps, during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Mr.   Crickenberger   is   available   to   conduct   tours   of   Point   Lookout   or   talk   to your   group   about   the   prison   camp   and   related   topics   regarding   the   Point. He can be reached at Bob@PointLookoutPrison.com .