Luray in Page County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Pass Run and Thornton Gap
Between Campaigns
— Gettysburg Campaign —
The soldiers rested the following day, a Sunday, and many attended the Rev. Beverly Tucker Lacy’s sermon at headquarters that morning. Before Stonewall Jackson’s death near Chancellorsville that spring, Lacy had been his “field” minister. Later that evening, the army began to move, and Early’s division marched through the Luray/New Market Gap into the Page Valley to join the balance of Ewell’s corps.
On the morning of July 27, leaving several of the wounded from Gettysburg and Wapping Heights in Luray in the care of private citizens, Rodes’ and Johnson’s division crossed Thornton Gap into Rappahannock County; Early soon joined them. In the weeks that followed, during what became known as the Bristoe Campaign, both armies fought a series of engagements well into October.
(sidebar) Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Closely affiliated with Hebron Church in Madison County, the congregation built the brick structure in 1851. During the Civil War, local residents called it Pass Run Church.
Erected by Summers-Koontz Camp #490, with the help of a grant from the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
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 1888.
Location. 38° 40.411′ N, 78° 22.972′ W. Marker is in Luray, Virginia, in Page County. Marker is on Red Church Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Luray VA 22835, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Shenandoah National Park (approx. 0.9 miles away); Gaps in the Story (approx. 2.6 miles away); Thornton Gap (approx. 3½ miles away); William Randolph Barbee (approx. 3½ miles away); The Greatest Single Feature (approx. 3½ miles away); Rappahannock County / Page County (approx. 3½ miles away); Confederate Heroes Monument (approx. 3.6 miles away); The Chapman-Ruffner House (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Luray.
More about this marker. On the upper right of the marker is a map depicting the Confederate Line of March, July, 1863. On the lower right of the marker are portraits of Gen. Richard S. Ewell, Gen. Jubal A. Early, Gen. Robert E. Rodes and Gen. Edward "Allegheny" Johnson. Inside the sidebar on the lower left of the marker is a photo of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Regarding Pass Run and Thornton Gap. This marker is one of several detailing Civil War activities in Page County, Virginia. Please see the Page County Civil War Markers link below.
Also see . . .
1. Page County Civil War Markers. (Submitted on February 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Avenue of Armies: Civil War Sites and Stories of Luray and Page County, Virginia. (Submitted on March 20, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.)
Additional commentary.
1. Soldier Buried in Green Hil Cemetery
Wounded Confederates from the fight at Wapping Heights were taken into the town of Luray, probably after portions of Ewell's Corps arrived here at the church. At least one soldier who died while there is buried in the small cemetery near Green Hill Cemetery. The soldier, Ensign (color/standard bearer) George W. Hardie of the 2nd Battalion Georgia Infantry, is said to have died in the Flinn House, just to the right of the private cemetery.
— Submitted February 6, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2008. This page has been viewed 3,232 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 29, 2008. 2. submitted on January 13, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 29, 2008. 6, 7. submitted on October 29, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.