Near Studley in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Cavalry Action At Linney's

Photographed by Bernard Fisher

1. Cavalry Action At Linney's Marker

Inscription. During Confederate Brig. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart's intelligence gathering "Ride Around McClellan," a skirmish ensued atop this hill on 13 June 1862 when several companies of the 9th Virginia Cavalry collided with the 5th United States Cavalry. Stuart's men carried the position and continued south into the rear of the Union army, but Capt. William Latané was killed in the brief, close-quarters fight. Latané, the only Confederate killed during the raid, is interred north of here at Summer Hill. William D. Washington memorialized the burial ceremony in his 1864 painting The Burial of Latané, which became a southern icon.

Erected 2002 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number O-63.)

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 (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 13, 1862.

Location. 37° 39.237′ N, 77° 15.266′ W. Marker is near Studley, Virginia, in Hanover County. It is at the intersection of Studley Road and Southard Lane, on the right when traveling south on Studley Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mechanicsville VA 23116, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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 3 miles of this

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marker, measured as the crow flies: Stuart's Ride (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Stuart’s Ride (approx. 0.7 miles away); Edmund Ruffin's Grave (approx. 1½ miles away); “The Old Church” (approx. 1.9 miles away); a different marker also named Stuart's Ride (approx. 2.3 miles away); Studley Cemetery (approx. 2.3 miles away); Studley (approx. 2.3 miles away); Salem Church/Haw’s Shop (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Studley.

Totopotomoy Creek image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 31, 2009

2. Totopotomoy Creek

Lt. Edward S. Lieb's squadron (5th US Cavalry) held Stuart's troopers in check for 20 minutes on the north bank. Confederate horsemen outflanked the Union position by crossing the stream above and below the bridge. Lieb's men withdrew to Linney's Corner.

Stuart's troopers advanced up this incline into the open fields above. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 31, 2009

3. Stuart's troopers advanced up this incline into the open fields above.

Union troopers, reinforced by cavalry under Capt. William B. Royall, formed a line atop the rise in an open field. The Confederates, led by Captain William Latane (9th Virginia Cavalry), charged and broke the Union line. Capt. Latane was shot and killed during this action. He was the lone Confederate casualty during "Stuart's Ride Around McClellan's Army".

View from Linney's Corner facing north image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 31, 2009

4. View from Linney's Corner facing north

Stuart's horsemen swept down the road through Linney's Corner scattering the Union cavalry. Confederate troopers pursued to Old Church and destroyed the deserted Union camp there.

Linney's Corner image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 31, 2009

5. Linney's Corner

The intersection of the Old Church Road (New Bethesda Rd) from Mechanicsville and the road from Haw's Shop to Old Church (Studley Rd). The JM Linney home was to the east (no longer exist).

William Latané's grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher

6. William Latané's grave

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,093 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 6. submitted on June 12, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.