Near Wytheville in Wythe County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battle of Wytheville
The Road to Mount Airy Depot
Toland planned to continue his march to Wytheville and to divide his command again about two miles from here. He would leave the main road with part of his regiment and destroy the high Virginia and Tennessee Railroad bridge (Walters Bridge), that stood near the Old Stage Road and spanned Reed Creek. But after realizing that he had sent his only reliable guide with Millard and Ruker to Mount Airy Depot, Toland changed his mind and ordered the entire command to march on to Wytheville, leaving the railroad bridge untouched.
According to a Union report written after the raid, the tracks at Mount Airy Depot were not destroyed because the areas was “strongly guarded” by Confederate troops. For this reason, Millard and Ruker aborted their mission and rejoined the regiment at Wytheville early the following morning of July 19.
(captions)
Walters or High Bridge spanning Reed Creek on the Old Stage Road southwest of Wytheville. The bridge was on the Federal target list and was threatened during Toland's Raid, but it was not destroyed during the war.
Destroying railroads included heating and "wrapping" the rails.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1869.
Location. 36° 57.93′ N, 81° 10.824′ W. Marker is near Wytheville, Virginia, in Wythe County. Marker is on Black Lick Road (Virginia Route 680) 0.2 miles south of Stony Fork Road (U.S. 52), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wytheville VA 24382, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Battle of Wytheville (approx. 3.1 miles away); Homesteader's Legacy (approx. 4.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Wytheville (approx. 4.4 miles away); The Flohr House (approx. 4.4 miles away); St. John’s Lutheran Church (approx. 4.4 miles away); Historic St. John Lutheran Church (approx. 4.4 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Wytheville (approx. 5.3 miles away); LOVE (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wytheville.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 830 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.