Winchester in Frederick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Early Moves to Battle
"The fire of battle veritably flashing in his eyes."
| — | The Third Battle of Winchester (September 19, 1864) | — |
Photographed by Jay Randall Richardson, August 21, 2020
1. Early Moves to Battle Marker
(sidebar)
On September 18, 1864, Confederate Gen. Jubal Early, commander of Confederate forces in the Shenandoah Valley, was in Martinsburg, West Virginia, 23 miles north of here, with half of his army. While there, he learned that Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had traveled to Charlestown, West Virginia, to meet with Ge. Philip H. Sheridan, commander of Union forces in the Valley.
For Early, the news was disastrous. Grant's visit promised aggressive action, and Sheridan's much-larger army was only 10 miles east of Winchester — in prime position to move on the city, destroy the remaining Confederate force there, and cut off Early's retreat. Fortunately for Early, Union delays on the morning of September 19 gave him just enough time to hurry the rest of his army back to Winchester.
Confederate soldiers swarmed through the fields around you as they raced to block the Federal advance. Although Sheridan had taken him by surprise, Early worked fervently to prevent a complete disaster.
Reaching the battlefield, he galloped up to some Confederate batteries and shouted, "Pour it into 'em- give 'em hell — God
this page online
Early succeeded in stopping Sheridan's initial attack, helping to stave off disaster. And what could have been a quick and easy Union victory turned into a day-long struggle — the largest battle ever fought in the Valley.
(sidebar)
The woodlot that you are standing in is the same woodlot — in the same shape — as the woodlot that was here during the battle. The trees around you are the descendants of the trees that stood here in 1864.
This sign made possible through funds donated by the Millbrook High School Cross Country Team
Erected 2020 by The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 18, 1864.
Location. 39° 12.544′ N, 78° 7.608′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia, in Frederick County. It can be reached from Redbud Road (Scenic Virginia Route 661) 0.9 miles east of Martinsburg Pike (U.S. 11),
Photographed by Jay Randall Richardson, August 21, 2020
2. Third Winchester Battlefield Park
Regionally, this marker is in the Shenandoah Valley. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds 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 marker: The Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites (APCWS) (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Like A Thousand Bricks" (about 500 feet away); Thomas Laws and Third Winchester (about 600 feet away); Thomas Laws (about 600 feet away); Ritchie Interpretive Plaza (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named The Third Battle of Winchester (about 600 feet away); The Second Battle of Kernstown (about 600 feet away); The Battle of Rutherford's Farm (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.
Other markers no longer nearby. Third Battle of Winchester (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); The Northern Flank (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named The Third Battle of Winchester (was about 400 feet away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Third Battle of Winchester (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Third Winchester Battlefield. Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District website entry (Submitted on August 21, 2020.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2020, by Jay Richardson of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 454 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 21, 2020, by Jay Richardson of Winchester, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
