Near Winchester in Frederick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Third Battle of Winchester
The West Woods
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 26, 2007
1. The Third Battle of Winchester Marker
A Virtual Tour of the Third Winchester Battlefield by HMDb markers:
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You are standing near the center of General Early's infantry line at what has come to be called the West Woods. Although these particular trees were not here during the Battle of Third Winchester, some are in the same location as those that stood on that day.At 11:40 a.m., the Union Sixth and Nineteenth Corps marched toward you to confront Early's troops positioned to your left and right. As Union Gen. Horatio Wright's Sixth Corps advanced along the Berryville Pike, it veered southward exposing breaks in the line between itself and the Nineteenth Corps. Confederate Gen. Robert Rodes' Division was positioned behind you with Gen. Stephen Ramseur's Division to his right: both braced to defend their lines against the oncoming attack. The Union Sixth Corps launched a successful attack, but Confederate units regrouped and executed a powerful counterthrust. Rodes was reported to have yelled "Charge them boys! Charge them!" before a shell exploded over his head and he fell dead from his horse.
Confederate Gen. Cullen A. Battle assumed command of the division as his Alabama Brigade advanced toward a break in the Union line. The
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Erected by Civil War Preservation Trust.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 39° 11.791′ N, 78° 7.963′ W. Marker was near Winchester, Virginia, in Frederick County. Marker could be reached from Redbud Road (County Route 661), on the right when traveling east. Located at the West Woods Wayside, along the Battle Trail, inside the CWPT Third Winchester Battlefield site. Although the marker is a few hundred yards from I-81, there is no access directly to the marker. The closest trailhead to this marker is on Redbud Road. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Winchester VA 22603, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Major General Robert Emmett Rodes (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Counterattack! (about
2. Help Preserve 3rd Winchester
Details of CWPT efforts to save this battlefield.
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More about this marker. On the lower left is a drawing of "Union General Ricketts' attack against Rodes' Division in the West Wood" from Battles and Leaders of the Civil War. In the upper center is a portrait of Confederate General Robert E. Rodes. The map on the right side illustrates the tactical situation between 11:40 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on September 19, 1864.
Also see . . .
1. Summary of the Battle of Third Winchester. National Parks Service website entry (Submitted on October 27, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Robert Rodes. Wikipedia entry:
Unique as the only non-West Point graduate to hold division command under Robert E. Lee in the Army of Northern Virginia. Rodes served with distinction at many battles through the war. He was in his thirties when killed here at Third Winchester. (Submitted on October 27, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 26, 2007
3. The Battle Map
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 26, 2007
4. The West Woods Wayside
Battle's Brigade advanced through this point to hit almost right on the seam between the two Union Corps.
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 26, 2007
5. Another View of the Area of the West Woods Today
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2007. This page has been viewed 1,637 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on November 6, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on October 27, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on March 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 27, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
