Catlett in Fauquier County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Mosby’s Raid at Catlett’s Station

Photographed by Kevin White, August 30, 2007

1. Mosby's Raid at Catlett's Station Marker

Inscription. To halt the flow of supplies to Union forces on the Orange & Alexandria R.R., Maj. John S. Mosby, C.S.A., destroyed a train near here on 30 May 1863. Removing a rail to stop the train, Mosby’s Rangers disabled the engine with a recently acquired howitzer, described as “too big to fit in a holster, but too small to be a cannon.” Alerted by the firing, nearby Union troops (N.Y., Mich., & Vt.), commanded by Col. William D. Mann, attempted to capture the Confederates. Mosby set fire to the railcars and withdrew, fighting a delaying action with his single artillery piece.

Erected 1996 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number B-35.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 30, 1863.

Location. 38° 39.364′ N, 77° 38.434′ W. Marker is in Catlett, Virginia, in Fauquier County. It is at the intersection of Catlett Road (Virginia Route 28) and Old Dumfries and Elk Run Road (County Route 667/806), on the right on Catlett Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Catlett VA 20119, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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

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5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Catlett’s Station (approx. ¼ mile away); Stuart and Mosby (approx. ¾ mile away); St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (approx. 2.2 miles away); Fauquier County / Prince William County (approx. 2½ miles away); Stuart's Bivouac (approx. 3.4 miles away); White Hall (approx. 4.2 miles away); Neavil's Ordinary (approx. 4.4 miles away); German Town (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Catlett.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Neavil's Ordinary (was approx. 4.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Several markers trace the raid and the subsequent pursuit of Mosby

Photographed by Kevin White, August 30, 2007

2. Mosby's Raid at Catlett's Station Marker

Site of Mosby's Train Raid image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, January 5, 2008

3. Site of Mosby's Train Raid

According to Thomas J. Evans and James M. Moyer's Mosby's Confederacy: A Guide to the Roads and Sites of Colonel John Singleton Mosby, the site where Mosby derailed the train was where modern CR 606 crosses the railroad. That crossing gate is seen along the center left.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,225 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on January 6, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.