Lacey Spring in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Lacey Spring
West Point Classmates at Odds
— 1864 Valley Campaigns —
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 3, 2009
1. Lacey Spring CWT Marker
Inscription.
Lacey Spring. West Point Classmates at Odds. On the early morning hours of December 21, 1864, part of Union Gen. George A. Custer’s cavalry division was eating breakfast here and preparing to advance when it suddenly came under attack. Custer had bivouacked the night before not expecting any interference from Confederate Gen. Thomas L. Rosser’s smaller cavalry division nearby. After a brief and spirited skirmish, Custer elected to withdraw north and abort his mission to march to Staunton and support a larger cavalry operation on both sides of Massanutten Mountain. Custer lost forty men captured, along with a few horses and camp equipment. Lacey Spring was one of many smaller actions that followed Gen. Philip H. Sheridan’s crushing defeats of Confederate Gen. Jubal A. Early in September and October., Custer and Rosser were friends and members of the class of 1861 at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Hundreds of former cadets and classmates served on each side during the war. The nature of academy life often forged close bonds among cadets, and many friendships survived the war. Rosser resigned from West Point in May 1861 before graduation, so he never received a class ranking. Custer, on the other hand, was the “goat” of the class, finishing last. Like many cadets, they studied each other's strengths and weaknesses while at the academy, and during the war this knowledge served them in combat. Though they fought fiercely against each other, many West Pointers remained “friendly enemies” during the war and afterward.
On the early morning hours of December 21, 1864, part of Union Gen. George A. Custer’s cavalry division was eating breakfast here and preparing to advance when it suddenly came under attack. Custer had bivouacked the night before not expecting any interference from Confederate Gen. Thomas L. Rosser’s smaller cavalry division nearby. After a brief and spirited skirmish, Custer elected to withdraw north and abort his mission to march to Staunton and support a larger cavalry operation on both sides of Massanutten Mountain. Custer lost forty men captured, along with a few horses and camp equipment. Lacey Spring was one of many smaller actions that followed Gen. Philip H. Sheridan’s crushing defeats of Confederate Gen. Jubal A. Early in September and October.
Custer and Rosser were friends and members of the class of 1861 at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Hundreds of former cadets and classmates served on each side during the war. The nature of academy life often forged close bonds among cadets, and many friendships survived the war. Rosser resigned from West Point in May 1861 before graduation, so he never received a class ranking. Custer, on the other hand, was the “goat” of the class, finishing last. Like many cadets, they studied each other's strengths and weaknesses while at the academy, and during
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the war this knowledge served them in combat. Though they fought fiercely against each other, many West Pointers remained “friendly enemies” during the war and afterward.
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 May 1861.
Location. 38° 32.503′ N, 78° 46.267′ W. Marker is in Lacey Spring, Virginia, in Rockingham County. Marker can be reached from North Valley Pike (U.S. 11) 0.2 miles south of Lacey Spring Road. This marker is located in the parking lot of Lacey Spring Elementary School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8621 North Valley Pike, Lacey Spring VA 22833, United States of America. Touch for directions.
this marker. On the lower left are portraits of "Union Gen. George A. Custer" and "CSA Gen. Thomas Rosser".
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 3, 2009
3. Lacey Spring Marker
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 3, 2009
4. Massanutten Mountains to the east.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 4, 2009
5. Lacey Spring Cemetery (facing northeast).
Direction of Confederate attack.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 4, 2009
6. Valley Pike (facing south).
Area of the Union cavalry encampment.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,814 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.