Near West Augusta in Highland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Welcome to Fort Edward Johnson

By Robert H. Moore, II, February 27, 2009

1. Welcome to Fort Edward Johnson Marker

Inscription. My name is Shepherd Green Pryor, but my friends and family call me “Shep.” I was elected First Lieutenant of the Muckalee Guards, Company A, 12th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry. We’ve just survived a cold Virginia winter on the top of Allegheny Mountain – a long way from our warm homes in Sumter County, Georgia.

Walk with me on this 0.5-mile trail while I share with you my experiences guarding Fort Johnson during the spring of 1862. Through my letters home to my dear wife Penelope, I hope you can understand how lonely I am for home, and how this awful war has changed or ended the lives of the young soldiers who once kneeled in these trenches.

Erected by U.S. Forest Service.

Location. 38° 18.7′ N, 79° 23.05′ W. Marker is near West Augusta, Virginia, in Highland County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 250, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Part of the “Confederate Breastworks Trail” at Fort Edward Johnson. Marker is in this post office area: West Augusta VA 24485, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Edward Johnson ( a few steps from this marker); Confederate Breastworks Interpretive Trail (

By J. J. Prats, May 2, 2010

2. Welcome to Fort Edward Johnson Marker

a few steps from this marker); “It was cold business” ( within shouting distance of this marker); “The Shenandoah Mountain Pass is grand indeed…” ( within shouting distance of this marker); Highland County / Augusta County ( within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort Edward Johnson ( within shouting distance of this marker); “Wee are faring badly…” ( about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Healing the Wounds ( about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Augusta.

More about this marker. On the left is a photograph of Lt. Shepherd Green Pryor.

Categories. • War, US Civil •

View of the walking path from the Welcome to Fort Edward Johnson Marker image. Click for full size.

By Robert H. Moore, II, February 27, 2009

3. View of the walking path from the Welcome to Fort Edward Johnson Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on March 6, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,315 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 6, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 2. submitted on May 5, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Springfield, Virginia. 3. submitted on March 6, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.