Near Randolph in Halifax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle of Staunton River Bridge
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 22, 2004
1. Battle of Staunton River Bridge UDC Marker
was fought here June 25, 1864
Capt. Benj. L. Farinholt 53rd Va. Inf. with
296 men reinforced by 642 citizens
and soldiers from Halifax Charlotte
and Mecklenburg counties Virginia
Defeated
Col. R.M. West 5th Penn. Cavalry
Supported by the 3rd New York
This monument placed by Halifax
County Chapter U.D.C. and the
State of Virginia
Erected by Halifax County Chapter U.D.C.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Forts and Castles • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the United Daughters of the Confederacy series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1921.
Location. 36° 52.922′ N, 78° 42.11′ W. Marker is near Randolph, Virginia, in Halifax County. It can be reached from Black Walnut Road (County Route 600) half a mile north of Fort Hill Trail. This marker is located in the Staunton River Battlefield State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Randolph VA 23962, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont, in Southside Virginia, and specifically in Central Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Guarding A Lifeline (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Confederate Trail
this page online
Also see . . .
1. WilsonKautz Raid. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 31, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Battle of Staunton River Bridge. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 31, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. Staunton River Battlefield State Park. Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation website entry (Submitted on June 25, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
4. Staunton River Battlefield State Park. Historic Staunton River Foundation (Submitted on June 25, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Additional keywords. Wilson-Kautz Raid
Photographed by Patricia Strat, June 2, 2024
2. The Battle of Staunton River Bridge Marker
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 22, 2004
3. Nearby Fort Hill just east of the bridge.
On the south bank of the river, the Confederates had four pieces of artillery here and two more in a small works west of the bridge.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 22, 2004
4. Staunton River Bridge
The final objective of the Wilson-Kautz cavalry raid was to destroy the Richmond & Danville railroad bridge over the Staunton River (the original was a covered bridge).
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 22, 2004
5. Roanoke River (known locally as Staunton River).
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 22, 2004
6. Roanoke Station (present-day Randolph).
North of the bridge, Federal troopers dismounted and formed up to cross the open fields toward the bridge.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 22, 2004
7. Richmond & Danville Railroad bed.
The Federal troopers approached the bridge along both sides of this railroad.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 22, 2004
8. Union right flank west of the railroad. The tree line on the left fronts the river.
Col. Samuel R Spear's 1st D.C. and 11th Pa. approached along the east side of the railroad and Col. Robert M. West's 5th Pa. and 3rd N.Y. along the west side.
"I formed an assaulting party and directed it up the embankment, in the hope that by a quick move we might obtain possession of the main bridge sufficiently long enough to fire it. The men tried repeatedly to gain a foothold on the railroad, and to advance along the sides of the embankment, but could not." - Colonel Robert M. West
"I formed an assaulting party and directed it up the embankment, in the hope that by a quick move we might obtain possession of the main bridge sufficiently long enough to fire it. The men tried repeatedly to gain a foothold on the railroad, and to advance along the sides of the embankment, but could not." - Colonel Robert M. West
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,575 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 25, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on June 3, 2024, by Patricia Strat of Oakton, Virginia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 25, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
