Near West Augusta in Highland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Welcome to Fort Johnson

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, February 27, 2009

1. Welcome to Fort Johnson Marker

Inscription. My name is Shepherd Green Pryor, but my friends and family call me “Shep.” I was elected First Lieutenant of the Muckalee Guards, Company A, 12th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry. We’ve just survived a cold Virginia winter on the top of Allegheny Mountain – a long way from our warm homes in Sumter County, Georgia.

Walk with me on this 0.5-mile trail while I share with you my experiences guarding Fort Johnson during the spring of 1862. Through my letters home to my dear wife Penelope, I hope you can understand how lonely I am for home, and how this awful war has changed or ended the lives of the young soldiers who once kneeled in these trenches.

Erected by U.S. Forest Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 38° 18.7′ N, 79° 23.05′ W. Marker is near West Augusta, Virginia, in Highland County. It can be reached from U.S. 250, on the right when traveling west. Part of the “Confederate Breastworks Trail” at Fort Edward Johnson. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Augusta VA 24485, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley,

in the Alleghany Highlands,

and specifically in the Potomac Highlands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 walking distance of this marker: Fort Edward Johnson (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Breastworks Interpretive Trail

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(a few steps from this marker); “It was cold business…” (within shouting distance of this marker); “The Shenandoah Mountain Pass is grand indeed…” (within shouting distance of this marker); Highland County / Augusta County (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort Edward Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); “Wee are faring badly…” (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Healing the Wounds (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Augusta.

More about this marker. On the left is a photograph of Lt. Shepherd Green Pryor.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 8, 2021

2. Welcome to Fort Johnson Marker

The marker has weathered.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 8, 2021

3. Welcome to Fort Johnson Marker

View of the walking path from the Welcome to Fort Johnson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, February 27, 2009

4. View of the walking path from the Welcome to Fort Johnson Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,985 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 6, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on May 8, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on March 6, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.