Upperville in Fauquier County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Upperville
Drama at Vineyard Hill
— Gettysburg Campaign —
The Battle of Upperville was the largest of these engagements, and the most dramatic aspects of that encounter took place at Vineyard Hill. From here Stuart fought to prevent the Federals from seizing the village of Upperville behind you and the critical intersection at Ashby’s Gap Turnpike (Route 50) and Trappe Road, to allow his embattled forces to reach the safety of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Ashby’s Gap.
Here Stuart directed two of his brigades as they resisted the advance of three Federal brigades. The fighting near here was desperate and often hand-to-hand, the men wielding sabers and pistols. As Stuart’s line gave way on the left, he rode among his troopers restoring order and fighting “with the men like a common soldier.” Charge and countercharge carried the men and horses back and forth across these fields under the deadly fire of artillery.
Less than a mile to your left, and visible to the men on the high ground around Vineyard Hill, four other brigades clashed, leading one Federal participant to conclude, “the panorama was one of the finest and most animating ever beheld.” Once the Confederates extracted themselves there and reached Ashby’s Gap Turnpike, Stuart ordered the last of his men to retire from Vineyard Hill.
Erected by 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 June 1863.
Location. 38° 59.432′ N, 77° 52.332′ W. Marker is in Upperville, Virginia, in Fauquier County. Marker is on John S. Mosby Highway (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling east. The marker on Vineyard Hill, in Upperville Park. The park is located across the highway from Ivy Hill Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Upperville VA 20184, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Battle of Unison (here, next to this marker); The Smith House (approx. ¼ mile away); The Gibson House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Armistead House (approx. half a mile away); The Upperville Library (approx. half a mile away); This Stone (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mary Elizabeth Conover Mellon (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lee Moves North Again (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Upperville.
More about this marker. Marker features a newspaper illustration with the caption, “A sketch by A.R. Waud for Harper’s Weekly illustrates the Battle of Upperville on June 21, 1863, with Union cannon in the foreground and Ashby’s Gap in the distance. The square enclosure in the upper left center is Vineyard Hill where you now stand.”
Regarding Upperville. As discussed on the marker, Upperville was the culminating battle in a series fought along the historical Ashby’s Gap Turnpike, which is present day John S. Mosby Highway (U.S. 50). The campaign can be traced by visiting several markers along the route. The fighting began at Aldie on June 17 (see link 1) and spilled into Middleburg. On June 19, Stuart’s cavalry was driven out (see link 2). Next both sides contested the bridge at Goose Creek (see link 3) on June 21. After fighting at Upperville, Stuart defended Ashby’s Gap for a short time, but determined to skirt around the Union Army moving to Haymarket (see link 4). As result, the cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia began the Gettysburg campaign out of position to support the main army moving into Pennsylvania.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Aldie. (Submitted on June 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Battle of Middleburg. (Submitted on June 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. Goose Creek Bridge. (Submitted on June 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
4. Haymarket. (Submitted on June 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
5. Aldie, Middleburg, and Upperville Battles. Detailed information about the battle at Upperville, along with the other battles fought nearby. (Submitted on June 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Additional keywords. Gettysburg Campaign
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,924 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on July 4, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.