Near McDowell in Highland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle of McDowell
Heart of the Battlefield
— Elevation – 2,815 Feet —
Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, February 27, 2009
1. The Battle of McDowell Marker
The Confederate 12th Georgia Infantry Regiment held this exposed crest overlooking McDowell. Milroy’s Union troops assaulted this hilltop from two directions – on the left and the right. The Confederates held their ground against repeated attacks and suffered heavy losses. The Confederates took position along the ridge behind you, making an exposed angle in the line. At 9 p.m., the Union troops abandoned the slopes below this point and retreated. Stonewall Jackson had won the first hard battle of his Valley Campaign.This concludes CWPT’s interpretive trail, thank you for your interest in battlefield preservation.
“I felt quite small in that fight the other day when the musket and cannon balls were flying around me as thick as hail and my best friends falling on both sides, dead & mortally wounded. Oh Dear, it is impossible for me to express my feelings. When the fight was over & I saw what was done, the teras came then free. Oh, that I never could behold such a sight again. To think it among civilized people; killing one another like beasts.”
Lt. Shepard Pryor, 12th Georgia
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 38° 19.439′ N, 79° 28.501′ W. Marker is near McDowell, Virginia, in Highland County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 250, on the right when traveling east. Located in the Civil War Preservation's Trust McDowell Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mc Dowell VA 24458, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battle Of McDowell (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of McDowell (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Battle of McDowell (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of McDowell (approx. 0.3 miles away); Commemorating The Battle Of McDowell (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of McDowell (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of McDowell (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Battle of McDowell (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McDowell.
More about this marker. In the center of the marker is a sketch depicting a scene from the battle. To the right is a map of the battlefield showing unit positions as described in the text.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
2. Civil War Preservation Trust
Additional commentary.
1. 10th Virginia Infantry
None of the signs on this walking tour show the movements of the 10th Virginia Infantry. The 10th actually came up to this position (that of the 12th Georgia Infantry) and reinforced the line here. Col. Simeon B. Gibbons, commanding the 10th, was struck by two minie balls in the forehead when near this spot.
— Submitted March 4, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.
Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, February 27, 2009
3. The Battle of McDowell Marker
Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, February 27, 2009
4. View from the Battle of McDowell Marker, west toward McDowell
Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,782 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 4, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 2. submitted on March 30, 2009. 3, 4. submitted on March 4, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
