Battlefield Markers Association, Western Division

History of the Western Division

The Battlefield Markers Association, Western Division, was organized at Charlottesville, Va., September 14, 1925, by Col. C.B. Linney and Col. R.M. Colvin, "to raise funds for the purchase of bronze tablets with appropriate historic inscriptions, to be placed on the bases erected by the Daughters of the Confederacy, D.A.R., and Memorial Association on the principal battlefields of Virginia."

With Hollis Rinehart as president, they erected 25 markers from Bull Run to Appomattox and throughout the Shenandoah Valley. Though similar in design to those in the Richmond area, they are not Freeman Markers. These markers are slightly larger and consist of heavy bronze tablets atop white granite block bases. Designed to be read from an automobile, the inscription tablets incline toward the reader. One of the original markers was destroyed by vandals and another by an 18-wheeler. Several of the markers have been moved from their original locations due to road projects and development.

Map of marker locations

View Battlefield Markers (Western Division) in a larger map

Text of the markers

1. Battlefield of Bull Run or First Manassas
July 21, 1861. Confederates under General Beauregard defeated Federals under General McDowell. General Jackson given name of "Stonewall" on this field. Generals Bee and Bartow killed. Old stone house used as hospital. This marker erected July 21, 1928.

2. First Battle of Kernstown
Was fought here Sunday, March 23, 1862 Confederates under Gen. T.J. "Stonewall" Jackson attacked Federals under Gen. James Shields. The fighting was chiefly west of the road and continued from early afternoon until nightfall. When Jackson retired with-his first and only reverse-Confederates engaged, 3,000, casualties, 718. Federals engaged, 8,000, casualties, 590. Photo courtesy www.hmdb.org

3. Rude's Hill
Stonewall Jackson's camp ground April 2-16, 1862. His headquarters at the foot of this hill. Colonel John Francis Neff, Commander 33rd Regiment, Stonewall Brigade, born and buried near here. Erected by the Shenandoah Chapter, U.D.C. 1927

4. Battle of McDowell
May 8, 1862, one mile southeast, Jackson and Edward Johnson, C.S.A. defeated Milroy and Schenck, U.S.A. This church served both Blue and Gray as a hospital. This marker erected 1926. Photo courtesy www.hmdb.org

5. Battle of Front Royal
May 23, 1862, General Jackson surprised General Banks' forces in and around Front Royal, capturing many prisoners and army supplies and forcing Banks to flee in disorder out of the Shenandoah Valley into Maryland. This was the first move in Jackson's celebrated Valley Campaign. Erected by Wm. Richardson Camp, U.C.V. 1927. Photo courtesy www.hmdb.org

6. First Battle of Winchester
May 25, 1862 between Confederates under Brig. Gen. T.J. "Stonewall" Jackson and the Federals under Maj. Gen. N.P. Banks began just south of this site. The Federals were driven in retreat through Winchester's streets with loss of stores and many prisoners. Confederates engaged, 16,000. Casualties 400. Federals engaged, 8,000. Casualties 2017. Photo courtesy www.hmdb.org

7. General Turner Ashby of Fauquier
A mile and a half southeast of this spot General Turner Ashby of Fauquier, "Knight of the Valley," was killed in battle June 6, 1862. To honor him and all of Rockingham's enlisted men, 1861-1865 this tablet is erected, 1926.

8. Cross Keys Battlefield
Here, June 8, 1862, Gen. J. C. Fremont-pursuing Gen. T. J. "Stonewall" Jackson-was checked by Gen. R. S. Ewell with part of Jackson's army, which lay towards Port Republic. Federals engaged, 12,750, killed and wounded, 684. Confederates engaged, 8,000, killed and wounded, 288.

9. Port Republic Battlefield
Here, June 9, 1862 Gen. T. J. "Stonewall Jackson" defeated Gen. J. Shield's vanguard advancing from Elkton under Gen. R. O. Tyler. Federals engaged, 4,500. Killed, wounded, and missing, 551, captured, 450. Confederates engaged, 6,000. Killed and wounded, 804. [This marker was destroyed by a tractor trailer in 2006 & rebuilt]

10. Battle of Cedar Mountain
Fought August 9, 1862. A Confederate victory. * Commanders * Confederate, Gen. T.J. "Stonewall" Jackson Federals, Gen. John Pope Casualties, Confederate, 1369. Federal, 2263 * Gen. C.S. Winder, C.S.A. fell here * This is the only battlefield on which Gen. Stonewall Jackson drew his sword.

11. Groveton - Second Battle of Bull Run
August 30, 1862. Confederates under Generals Lee, Jackson and Longstreet defeated Federals under General Pope. General Longstreet dined at Old Dogan House. Fierce fight of R.R. cut half mile northwest. This marker erected July 21, 1928

12. Battle of Fredericksburg
December 13, 1862 the Confederates under Lee defeated the Federals under Burnside in a sanguinary conflict marked by extraordinary bravery on both sides. In a series of gallant charges the Federal army sustained heavy losses and Burnside was forced to recross the Rappahannock. Erected 1927 by the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Chapters, U.D.C.

13. Battle of Chancellorsville
On May 2-3, 1863, the Army of Northern Virginia under Lee defeated the Army of the Potomac under Hooker on this field. "Stonewall" Jackson, Lee's great lieutenant was mortally wounded in the flank attack on Hooker's right which resulted in victory for the southern army. Erected by the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Chapters U.D.C., 1927. [The inscription tablet was stolen in 1976 and the base was later demolished] Photo courtesy Civil War Image Database, Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War, Virginia Center for Digital History, UVA

14. Battle of Salem Church
Of May 3, 4, 1863 fought by Lee and Hooker, concluded the Chancellorsville Campaign. Here, the followers of Lee, in imperishable bronze respond to the noble sentiment of the followers of Grant and pay highest tribute to the patriotism of both. Erected by the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Chapters, U.D.C. 1927

15. Battle of Brandy Station
Greatest cavalry battle of the Civil War * Fought June 9, 1863 * Gen. J.E.B. Stuart defeated Gen. A. Pleasonton Confederates engaged 10,200. Federals 10,900 Casualties, Confederates, 485, Federals 866. This is Fleetwood Hill, the crucial position finally occupied by the Confederates.

16. Second Battle of Winchester
June 13-15, 1863 took place during Gen. Lee's advance to Gettysburg between Confederates under Gen. Ewell and Federals under Gen. Milroy. The Federals occupied positions on the hills north and west of Winchester now called Milroys and Star Forts from which they retreated and a large part of their army made prisoners by the Confederates. Photo courtesy www.hmdb.org

17. Battle of the Wilderness
Here May 5,6, 1864, 70,000 Confederates under Lee defeated 120,000 Federals under Grant. Confederate loss 11,500. Federal 18,000. This battle, fought with conspicuous bravery, in a Wilderness on fire, will take it's place among the great battles of the Civil War. Erected by the 13, Virginia Regiment, Chapter U.D.C. 1927

18. Battle of Spotsylvania
May 12 - 18, 1864, between the armies of Lee and Grant is unmatched for its display of unyielding heroism and devotion to duty and principle. Here thousands of valorous men, fighting with bayonets and clubbed muskets, wrote their imperishable epitaph. Erected by the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Chapters, U.D.C. 1927

19. The Battle of New Market
Was fought here Sunday morning, May 15, 1864. The Confederates under Gen. J. C. Breckinridge were victorious over the Federals under Gen. Franz Sigel. The decisive incident of the battle was the heroic capture of the Federal battery by the V.M.I. cadets. Photo courtesy www.hmdb.org

20. Piedmont Battlefield
Here on June 5, 1864, was fought the Battle of Piedmont for the possession of Staunton. Union Forces under Gen. David Hunter 12,015 men and suffered a loss of 130 killed and 650 wounded, Confederate forces numbering 5,600 men under Gen. W.E. Jones defeated with loss 460 killed, 1450 wounded and 1,000 prisoners. Gen Jones was killed near this spot. Photo courtesy Linda Walcroft

21. Battle of Trevillians
Fought here June 11, 12, 1864 - Confederate Gens. Wade Hampton, Fitzhugh Lee and Thomas L. Rosser, victors over Federal Gens. P.H. Sheridan and G.A. Custer. 5000 Confederates, 8000 Federal. Casualties, Confederate 612, Federal, 1,007. Greatest all-cavalry battle of the war. Signal Confederate victory. Erected by the Louisa Chapter U.D.C. 1926.

22. The Battle of Fishers Hill
Was fought on these bluffs - September 22, 1864 - Gen. Philip H. Sheridan's 60,000 Federals attacked Gen. Jubal A. Early's 18,000 Confederates. Through the advantage of overwhelming numbers, the Federals won the victory. Photo courtesy www.hmdb.org

23. The Battle of Cedar Creek
Fought on these hills and fields, Oct 19, 1864. Gen. Jubal A. Early's 22,000 Confederates attacked Gen. Philip H. Sheridan's 60,000 Federals. The first assault a surprise flank movement by Gen. John B. Gordon, was a Confederate success. This advantage not being followed up, enabled Gen. Sheridan to rally and win the victory.

24. The Maplewood Memorial Association
Has erected this tablet as a tribute of respect to some seven hundred Confederate soldiers, mainly from North Carolina and Georgia, who laid down their lives for the cause they loved and lost. Their names are perished. May their memory be imperishable!

25. Appomattox
Here on Sunday April 9, 1865, after four years of heroic struggle in defense of principles believed fundamental to the existence of our government, Lee surrendered 9000 men, the remnant of an army still unconquered in spirit (to 118,00 men under Grant.) [The last line of inscription tablet was removed]