Culpeper in Culpeper County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Civil War
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 11, 2008
1. The Civil War Marker
The marker has a typographical error with respect to date the Federals began their winter encampment. The troops arrived in Culpeper in December, 1863 and stayed until the following spring.
Four long years of bitter Civil War devastated Culpeper more than any other community in the country. Savage battles at Cedar Mountain, Kelly's Ford and Brandy Station left thousands of young Americans dead and wounded, and Culpeper's homes, churches and businesses served as hospitals and as blessed shelters for bloodstained men of both armies. Although the sweeping Piedmont between the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers witnessed momentous battles throughout the first three years of the war, the single military event that ravished Culpeper more than any other involved the arrival in December, 1864, of the Army of the Potomac, 100,000 strong. For five months, General George Meade's occupying Federal Army took total command of Culpeper's homes, farm lands, and local economy. Here before you in this beautiful park, imagine hundreds of white tents and just beyond, thousands of bluecoated soldiers marching in formation. These were the 15,000 men of the First Corps, Army of the Potomac, and right before you they camped until leaving for the Wilderness Campaign in May, 1864. In early May, the Federals turned their backs on Culpeper, never to return, but in their path, the Yankees left homes wrecked, churches destroyed, businesses ruined and farm fields barren. But out of the depths of desperate starvation and financial chaos, a hopeful and
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1864.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 28.438′ N, 78° 0.15′ W. Marker was in Culpeper, Virginia, in Culpeper County. It could be reached from North Blue Ridge Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Located along the Yowell Meadow Park loop trail. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Culpeper VA 22701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named The Civil War (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Revolutionary War (within shouting distance of this marker); Mountain Run Watershed (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Culpeper Minute Men (about 800 feet away); Who Were The Culpeper Minute-Men? (approx. 0.2 miles away); Culpeper Minute Battalion (approx. 0.2 miles away); What Did The Minute-Men Accomplish? (approx. 0.2 miles away); Major Gabriel Long (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Culpeper.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Revolutionary War (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 11, 2008
2. The Civil War Marker
More about this marker. On the left is a portrait of Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart. Beside it is a photo of an Encampment at Brandy Station December, 1863. In the bottom left is a photo of Rapidan Ford. And in the lower right is a View of Culpeper c. 1865.
A time line below the text indicates key events of the Civil War related to Culpeper.
1862 - July 20 - Federal forces occupy Culpeper.
1862 - August 17 - Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart orders Fitzhugh Lee to cross Rapidan River. U.S. General Pope learns of Lee's movements and leaves Culpeper.
1862 - October 6-7 - Rebel troops retreat through Culpeper after defeat at Barbee's Crossroads.
1862 - October 7 - Skirmishes at the burnt Rappahannock railroad bridge.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Replacement Marker At This Location also titled "The Civil War".
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 11, 2008
3. Yowell Meadow
The open fields of Yowell Meadow were used by the Army of the Potomac for its winter encampment, 1863-64.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,388 times since then and 57 times this year. Last updated on February 16, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
