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Strasburg in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Winter Quarters

How Strata Shaped Strategy: The Hupp's Hill Civil War/Karst Interpretive Walking Trail

 
 
Winter Quarters Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 6, 2020
1. Winter Quarters Marker
Inscription.
Although the winter camp at Hupp's Hill was less extensive than the one pictured above, the layout was fairly typical. Two brigades of the Federal VI Corps, 2nd Division, began erecting small log huts, stables, quartermaster stores, divisional headquarters, and a signal station when they occupied this hillcrest on 20 October 1864.

Construction of this fortified position abruptly ended in early November when it became apparent that Confederate forces no longer posed a threat to Union control of the Valley. After a dress review, the VI Corps marched north to Stephenson's Depot. There the soldiers boarded trains to join Grant's Army of the Potomac at Petersburg in the final push against Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, which surrendered the following spring.

Recharge of Ground Water
Water entering the ground at the crest of Hupp's Hill slowly seeps through the rock layers of the aquifer below, finally emerging at the bottom of the hill through Hupp Spring, which then flows through Strasburg as the Town Run. Unfortunately, however, many people use sinkholes as trash pits, filling them with household waste and even
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appliances and car parts that leach rust, oill, Freon, and other contaminants into the aquifer below. This contaminated water may then be tapped for wells. Keep in mind that whatever goes down comes back up.... in your springs and drinking water.

From the lunette (CWK 4), the trench line gradually fades away to your right. From here to U.S. 11 are the only surviving remnants of the original much more extensive trench line.
 
Erected by Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation. (Marker Number CWK 5.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: EnvironmentForts and CastlesWar, US CivilWaterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Strasburg, How Strata Shaped Strategy: The Hupp's Hill Civil War/Karst Interpretive Walking Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 20, 1864.
 
Location. 39° 0.057′ N, 78° 21.053′ W. Marker is in Strasburg, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. It can be reached from Old Valley Pike 0.2 miles west of Signal Knob Drive, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 33229 Old Valley
Winter Quarters Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 6, 2020
2. Winter Quarters Marker
Pike, Strasburg VA 22657, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s 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: Lunette (a few steps from this marker); Keyhole Cave (within shouting distance of this marker); Hupp Cave (within shouting distance of this marker); A Natural Bombproof (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Strasburg (about 400 feet away); The Shenandoah Valley / Battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864 (about 400 feet away); Field Fortifications (about 400 feet away); Trail Head (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Strasburg.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 248 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on November 7, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
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Aug. 3, 2026