Winchester, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Third Battle of Winchester
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 15, 2007
1. The Third Battle of Winchester Marker
September 19, 1864
The decisive assault in the campaign set in motion by General Grant to free the Shenandoah Valley from the control of the Confederacy took place here. This high ground was part of Winchester’s defensive rampart against attack from the east.
At daybreak the first gunfire was heard as General Ramseur’s North Carolinians fired on Capt. Hull’s NY Cavalry as it emerged from the Berryville Canyon (VA 7 near the I-81 overpass) 1.5 miles northeast of here.
General Philip Sheridan’s 39,000 Federal troops converged throughout the day on Winchester from the east and north to compel the withdrawal of General Jubal A. Early’s 15,000 Southerners. The relentless advance of Federal troops was contested by men in mortal combat in every segment of the Confederate’s shrinking front. Overpowered, the Confederates finally withdrew southward at sundown through town, Ramseur their rear guard. General Archibald C. Godwin was killed here as his men rallied to him and is buried in this cemetery.
As the sun set, this cemetery ridge was the southern anchor of the Confederate battle line, which stretched in an arch east and north of town to the vicinity of Fort Collier and Star Fort.
Many of those buried here lie near where they fell in battle. The remains of
this page online
Union dead lie in the National Cemetery just across Woodstock Lane.
These Honored Remains: Destiny’s Debris When Diplomacy Fails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1756.
Location. 39° 10.943′ N, 78° 9.469′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of Mt Hebron Drive and Confederate Cemetery Drive, on the left when traveling east on Mt Hebron Drive. Located in the Stonewall Cemetery (Confederate section) of the Mt. Hebron Cemetery. Entrance to the Cemetery is at the intersection of Boscawen Street and East Lane. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 305 East Boscawen Street, Winchester VA 22601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. South Carolina (a few steps from this marker); North Carolina Confederate Dead (within shouting distance of this marker); Alabama (within shouting distance of this marker); Florida (within shouting distance of this marker); Louisiana (within shouting distance of this marker); Mississippi
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 15, 2007
2. West Entry to the Stonewall Confederate Cemetery
Also see . . .
1. The Third Battle of Winchester. National Parks Service battle summary. The events described on the marker are covered in phases 9 and 10 of the summary. (Submitted on September 23, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Stonewall Confederate Cemetery. Blog entry with pictures of several of the state monuments in the cemetery. (Submitted on September 23, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 15, 2007
3. The Mourning Confederate
The centerpiece to the Stonewall Confederate Cemetery is this statue of a Confederate soldier, in mourning, looking down at the graves. Stones mark each of the states from the Confederacy represented in the internments in the cemetery.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 15, 2007
4. Stonewall Cemetery Entrance
3000 Confederate
Soldiers rest here
Dedicated 1866
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 26, 2007
5. Stonewall Confederate Cemetery
The Confederate cemetery is separated from the National Cemetery by stone walls and Woodstock Lane.
Photographed By Linda Walcroft, December 13, 2008
6. In Honor of the Women of Winchester
and
Turner Ashby Chapter #184 United Daughters of the Confederacy Chartered 1867
For five generations they have cherished the memory of the soldiers who lie in the Stonewall Cemetery
"Love Makes Memory Eternal"
Dedicated June 6th 1999
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,917 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 23, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on January 6, 2009, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
