Sperryville in Rappahannock County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Sperryville
Important Crossroads
This quiet crossroads village, long an overnight stopping point on important north-south and east-west roads to the Shenandoah Valley, was the scene of many events during the Civil War. Union Gen. Franz Sigel's Corps of the Army of Virginia camped here for a month in July-August 1862, when all of the buildings in the town and the surrounding countryside became officer's headquarters. In November 1862, Confederate Gen. James Longstreet's Corps paused here during the retreat from Maryland following the Antietam Campaign. Jedediah Hotchkiss, Confederate Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's cartographer, observed that Longstreet's men had "stripped the town of provisions." Multiple southern troop movements passed through Sperryville during the Gettysburg Campaign in June-July 1863. On the retreat south, Confederate Gen. Richard S. Ewell's corps camped for several days at the foot of Thornton Gap on the western side of the Blue Ridge and then marched through the gap, through Sperryville, and on to Culpeper. Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill's men arched through Sperryville en route to Gettysburg and once again during the Bristoe Station Campaign in October 1863.
"Started across the Blue Ridge, via Thornton's Gap, and sketched the road on to Sperryville, though I found it very cold work, especially towards the evening.Had some trouble in procuring lodgings at Sperryville; at last got quite comfortably housed. … Bill for supper and lodgings, $2.50."
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— Jedediah Hotchkiss, Saturday, Nov. 22, 1862"Got a nice breakfast at a little house on the side of the mountain near Sperryville. An abundance of hot biscuit, butter, milk, and strained honey. Never enjoyed a breakfast more. Paid a dollar for it."
— Pvt. Henry R. Berkeley, Amherst Artillery, July 25, 1863
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 25, 1863.
Location. 38° 39.491′ N, 78° 13.546′ W. Marker is in Sperryville, Virginia, in Rappahannock County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Lee Highway (Route 211/522) and U.S. 522, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12018 B Lee Hwy, Sperryville VA 22740, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sigels' Corps (a few steps from this marker); A Hint of Total War (a few steps from this marker); Sister Caroline (within shouting distance of this marker); Hopkins Ordinary
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 489 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
