Vienna in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Hunters Mill
Pennsylvania Reserve Corps Camp
For four days in March 1862, the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps camped here. It left Camp Pierpont at Langley on March 10 for Hunter's Mill on orders of Union Gen. George B. McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac, who had heard that Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's Confederate army had evacuated northern Virginia for Richmond. The corps prepared for the Peninsula Campaign and remained here until March 14, when it broke camp and headed to Alexandria.
Gen. George A. McCall commanded the corps, which consisted of three brigades under Gens. George G. Meade, Edward O.C. Ord, and John F. Reynolds. Civil War correspondent George A. Townsend described the pullout on the rainy evening of March 14: "Although 15,000 men comprised the whole corps, each of its three brigades would have seemed as numerous to a novice. ... The country people gathered in fright at the cottage doors, and the farm dogs bayed dismally at the unwonted scene."
Behind you to your left stood Hunter's Mill, a grist mill and sawmill named for George W. Hunter, Sr., who acquired it in 1831. Townsend described it as "a storm-beaten structure that looked like a great
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The Hunter's Mill area changed hands several times during the war. The Alexandria, Loudoun, and Hampshire Railroad (just behind you) was completed past this point in January 1860, allowing easy access between Alexandria and Leesburg. Abundant water, forage, and farm fields could sustain thousands of men and horses, but at an immense cost to the community, which took decades to recover.
Erected 2009 by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 10, 1862.
Location. 38° 55.957′ N, 77° 18.286′ W. Marker is in Vienna, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is on Hunter Mill Road (County Route 674), on the right when traveling north. The marker is approximately 20 feet from the road along the W&OD Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vienna VA 22182, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia.
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 24, 2009
2. Hunter's Mill Marker
This is a previous iteration of the marker. While the text is identical, the formatting is slightly different.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Strategic Junction (here, next to this marker); Hunter Station (here, next to this marker); Crossroads to War (a few steps from this marker); Cartersville Baptist Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Terror by the Tracks (approx. one mile away); Walking in the Footsteps of History (approx. one mile away); The Purpose of the Korean Bell Garden (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Bell of Peace and Harmony (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vienna.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Hunter Station (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced
More about this marker. In the lower left is a photo of Company K, 1st Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps. Beside it is a map of the area indicating officer's headquarters in relation to Hunter's Mill. Across the upper right are portraits of Gens. George A. McCall, George G. Meade, Edward O.C. Ord, and John F. Reynolds.
Also see . . . Hunter's Mill Defense League. The League sponsored this marker. One of the organization's goals is to protect the scenic and historic character of the Hunter's Mill Road community. Their remarkably high quality DVD provides a detailed history of the Civil War activities in the area. (Submitted on June 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed by Craig Swain, June 25, 2009
4. Hunter's Mill Marker beside the W&OD Trail
This photo shows the prior marker in its environs as of 2009.
Photographed by Craig Swain, June 25, 2009
5. Location of Union Picket Post
Federal forces maintained a picket post on the other side of the road from the marker.
Photographed by Craig Swain, June 12, 2009
6. Angelica Run Farm
View of the field just south of the marker location, on the opposite side of Difficult Run. During their stay in the area, the Pennsylvania Reserves drilled across this field, which is today part of a horse farm.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 5,669 times since then and 157 times this year. Last updated on August 15, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on January 21, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on September 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on January 21, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5. submitted on June 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on June 30, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
