Middletown in Frederick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Stand of the Eighth Vermont
5:45 a.m.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 19, 2023
1. Stand of the Eighth Vermont Marker
In a desperate attempt to stem the onward rush of Confederates, Col. Stephen Thomas was ordered to sacrifice his 1,000 soldiers from Vermont, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. The fight that followed was a "vortex of hell," one veteran later claimed. In the smoke and fog it quickly became a hand-to-hand fight. Rifles became clubs, bayonets were used, both sides contested for control. The fighting was fiercest around the flags of the Eighth Vermont, but they were not taken. The regiment lost 110 of 164 men, but Thomas' command had stalled the Confederate onslaught for 30 minutes. The monument marks the center of the regiment's line, and also where three color bearers were killed defending their flags.
(Captions):
The Eighth Vermont regimental flag, carried throughout the Civil War, shows the battles in which the regiment fought.
This postwar illustration depicts the brutal struggle for both the national and state flags of the regiment. Note the state flag is the same one shown in the photograph (above).
Erected by National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 39° 0.647′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cedar Creek (here, next to this marker); Signal Knob During the Civil War (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Eve of Battle (about 600 feet away); Slowing the Advance (about 600 feet away); The Shenandoah Valley / Battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864 (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Eve of Battle (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of Cedar Creek (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Cedar Creek (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middletown.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 19, 2023
2. Stand of the Eighth Vermont Marker
The Eighth Vermont Monument is in the background.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 19, 2023
3. The Eighth Vermont Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 59 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 22, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
