Near Amherst in Amherst County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Action at Tye River
Photographed By Laura Troy, July 24, 2008
1. Action at Tye River Marker
On 11 June 1864, about 800 yards east, the Botetourt Battery prevented the destruction of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad bridge across the Tye River. This bridge was an important part of the Confederate railroad network for the movement of troops and supplies throughout Virginia. Confederate pickets of the Botetourt Battery, deployed as infantry and commanded by Capt. Henry C. Douthat, kept the Federal cavalry from destroying the bridge. This enabled Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early and the 2d Corps of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia to reach Lynchburg by train, to prevent its capture by Union Maj. Gen. David Hunter.Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number R-61.)
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 series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 11, 1864.
Location. 37° 39.286′ N, 78° 57.677′ W. Marker is near Amherst, Virginia, in Amherst County. Marker is on North Amherst Highway (U.S. 29) south
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Scale House (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Rivers (approx. 2.3 miles away); The Reverend Robert Rose (approx. 3˝ miles away); Grave of Patrick Henry’s Mother (approx. 3.6 miles away); Cabellsville (approx. 3.7 miles away); Hurricane Camille (approx. 4.6 miles away); American Cyanamid (approx. 4.9 miles away); The Virginia Blue Ridge Railway (approx. 5 miles away).
Additional commentary.
1. Old Marker
This marker replaces an older R-61 with the same title, which stood on Highway 29, south of the Tye River Bridge. The old marker read, About 800 yards east, on June 11, 1864, the Botetourt Battery, C.S.A., prevented Federal Raiders from burning the Orange and Alexandria Railroad Bridge, thus enabling General Jubal Early to reach Lynchburg in time to save it from capture by General Hunter.
— Submitted August 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 26, 2007
2. Action at Tye River Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2008, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,126 times since then and 293 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 14, 2008, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 12, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
