Front Royal in Warren County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Guard Hill Engagement

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 7, 2007

1. Guard Hill Engagement Marker

Inscription. In Aug. 1864, part of Confederate Lt. Gen. Richard H. Anderson’s corps threatened the left of Union Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan’s army. As Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt’s division approached on 15 Aug. to protect the Federal flank. Anderson ordered Brig. Gen. William T. Wofford’s infantry brigade and Brig. Gen. Williams C. Wickham’s cavalry brigade across the Shenandoah River to confront Merritt. Wickham was overwhelmed, however, on 16 Aug., and his troopers retreated toward Front Royal while Union Brig. Gen. George A. Custer’s brigade drove Wofford from Guard Hill. Sheriden then retired north to Charles Town W. Va.

Erected 1999 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number J-11.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1864.

Location. 38° 57.187′ N, 78° 12.007′ W. Marker is in Front Royal, Virginia, in Warren County. Marker is at the intersection of Winchester Avenue (U.S. 340/522) and Guard Hill Road (County Route 637) on Winchester Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Front Royal VA 22630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the

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crow flies. Execution of Mosby’s Men (here, next to this marker); Battle of Front Royal (here, next to this marker); Guard Hill (approx. ¼ mile away); The Bridges (approx. 0.8 miles away); Recreational Center of Front Royal (approx. 1.1 miles away); Richardson’s Hill (approx. 1.2 miles away); Rose Hill (approx. 1.6 miles away); The McKay Home (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Front Royal.

More about this marker. This marker replaced a marker from the late 1920s or early 1930s erected near here with this same number but titled “Guard’s Hill Affair” which read, “General Fitz Lee’s cavalry, supported by a brigade of Kershaws infantry, detached from Anderson’s Corps at Front Royal, near here attacked Merritt of Sheridan’s cavalry, August 16, 1864. Merritt, on being reinforced, drove the Confederates back across the river. He then withdrew towards Charlestown.”

Regarding Guard Hill Engagement. This marker is one of several from a driving tour of the Front Royal Battlefield. The markers are listed in sequence on the Battle of Front Royal Virtual Tour by Markers link below.

Also see . . .
1. Battle of Front Royal Virtual Tour by Markers

Photographed By Tom Fuchs, August 19, 2007

2. Guard Hill Engagement Marker

. Although recounting an encounter two years after the Battle of Front Royal, it is included here due to proximity. (Submitted on November 18, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Battle of Guard Hill Summary. (Submitted on November 18, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Two Virginia State Markers Beside Highway 340 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 7, 2007

3. Two Virginia State Markers Beside Highway 340

Guard Hill Engagement, Execution of Mosby's Men and Battle of Front Royal Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Forest McDermott, May 10, 2010

4. Guard Hill Engagement, Execution of Mosby's Men and Battle of Front Royal Marker

North Fork Crossing image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 7, 2007

5. North Fork Crossing

In the later phases of the Guard Hill fight, both Wickham's and Wofford's commands re-crossed the river in this vicinity as part of their retreat.

Old Dam at Riverton image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 22, 2007

6. Old Dam at Riverton

Wickham's men crossed in this vicinity when retreating from the battle.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,273 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 13, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 11, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 3. submitted on October 13, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on July 5, 2010, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on October 13, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on November 27, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.