Winchester in Frederick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Russell Restores the Line
"Order your brigade to charge!"
| | The Third Battle of Winchester (September 19, 1864) | |
Photographed by Mike McKeown
1. Russell Restores the Line Marker
Time: Early Afternoon
Along the Berryville Turnpike some 1,000 feet to your right, Union commander Gen. Phillip Sheridan had placed Gen. David Russell's division in reserve, explaining to Russell - who had been one of Sheridan's instructors at West Point - that it was "Because I know what I shall have there in a commanding officer if that line should break."
When the Federal front line fell back, Russell's division rolled into action. Russell positioned two small regiments to stem the tide of retreating Federals and then galloped over to Col. Oliver Edwards' brigade advancing toward the area. As he did, a Confederate bullet thudded into his chest, but the tough general shoved a handkerchief in the wound. When Edwards expressed concern, Russell chided him, "It makes no difference at a time such as this. Order your brigade to charge!" Shortly after he gave the order, a shell exploded overhead, and a fragment struck Russell in the head, killing him instantly. (Russell was killed near the modern-day skating rink that you can see in front of you, just past the hotel.)
Despite his death, Russell's troops pushed ahead and drove back the Confederates, securing the Union battle line.
Edwards described Russell as "the purest, truest ablest soldier I ever knew. Had he risen to command an army he
this page online
Erected by Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 19, 1864.
Location. 39° 11.334′ N, 78° 7.854′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia, in Frederick County. It is on Getty Lane 0.2 miles north of Gateway Drive, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 170 Getty Lane, Winchester VA 22603, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. 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 walking distance of this marker: North Carolina At Third Winchester (a few steps from this marker); Third Battle Of Winchester (within shouting distance of this marker); Rickettss Attack (within shouting distance of this marker); The West Woods (within shouting distance of this marker); Third Battle of Winchester (approx. 0.3 miles away); Captain Robert Young Conrad (approx. 0.4 miles away); Tigers from the Woods (approx. half a mile away); Counterattack! (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Third Battle of Winchester (was approx. half a mile away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . .
1. The Third Battle of Winchester.
Photographed by Mike McKeown
2. Russell Restores the Line Marker
2. David Allen Russell. Wikipedia (Submitted on June 21, 2023.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2023, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 360 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 20, 2023, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
