Near Arcadia Farm in Clarke County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Castleman’s Ferry Fight

By Craig Swain, June 18, 2007

1. Castleman's Ferry Fight Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Three miles North in July 1864, General Jubal Early’s army, returning from his raid on Washington, was attacked by Federal units which forced a passage of the river. On July 18, Colonel Joseph Thoburn led his troops against the Confederates but was driven back across the river. Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th President of the United States, commanded a Federal brigade in the action.

Erected 1968 by Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number T–9.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 39° 7.587′ N, 77° 53.815′ W. Marker is near Arcadia Farm, Virginia, in Clarke County. Marker is at the intersection of Harry Byrd Highway (Virginia Route 7) and North Hill Lane, on the right when traveling east on Harry Byrd Highway. Marker is just west of the Smalley Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 67 N Hill Ln, Berryville VA 22611, 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 crow flies. Battle of Cool Spring (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Retreat (approx. half a

By Craig Swain, June 18, 2007

2. Castleman's Ferry Fight Marker

mile away); Colonial Highway (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Cool Spring (approx. 1.6 miles away); Judge Parker's “Retreat” & the Battle of Cool Spring (approx. 1.6 miles away); Col. George D. Wells Leads the Way (approx. 1.6 miles away); Confederate Counterattack and Union Retreat (approx. 1.7 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Cool Spring (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arcadia Farm.

Also see . . .
1. Battle of Cool Spring - Castleman's Ferry. American Battlefield Trust. (Submitted on August 30, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

2. Battle of Cool Spring. This marker describes the same battle as the Civil War Trails marker across the highway. (Submitted on June 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Marker Removed image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, January 10, 2009

3. Marker Removed

The marker was removed in 2008, probably due to damage.

Marker Remounted image. Click for full size.

By Allen C. Browne, August 26, 2019

4. Marker Remounted

The marker has been remounted (2019).

Confederate Positions image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, June 18, 2007

5. Confederate Positions

According to The Official Virginia Civil War Battlefield Guide by John S. Salmon, the Confederate forces were concealed from Federal forces by the rolling terrain West of the river. This pasture ground near the Holy Cross Abby is typical of the surrounding terrain.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,739 times since then and 7 times this year. Last updated on August 30, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 4, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on August 30, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5. submitted on June 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.