Middletown in Frederick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle Begins
The Thoburn Redoubt Trail
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 19, 2023
1. The Battle Begins Marker
The opening attack of the battle took place in these fields and woods around 5 a.m. on October 19, 1864. The surprise was complete and the Union troops were completely routed in the heavy fog and predawn darkness of early morning. Colonel Joseph Thoburn's attempts to rally his men failed, and he was later killed during the retreat through the streets of Middletown. The trail covers part of the ground where Thoburn's troops were positioned and then overrun by the Confederate assault.
(Captions):
Joseph Thoburn, 1825-1864, enlisted as a surgeon after the firing on Fort Sumter, in the 1st Virginia Infantry, a pro-Union regiment from near Wheeling, Virginia, now West Virginia.
This James E. Taylor sketch captures the death of Colonel Joseph Thoburn during the retreat that morning.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is October 19, 1864.
Location. 38° 59.933′ N, 78° 19.182′ W. Marker is in Middletown, Virginia, in Frederick County. Marker is on Bowman Mill Road (Virginia Route 635) 1.3 miles west of Long Meadow Road (Virginia Route 611), on the right when traveling north
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Surprise Attack (here, next to this marker); Frederick County / Shenandoah County (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cedar Creek (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Cedar Creek (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fort Bowman (approx. 0.6 miles away); Samuel Kercheval (approx. 0.6 miles away); 128th Regt N.Y.S.V.I. (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bearing the Brunt (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middletown.
Regarding The Battle Begins. The Thoburn Redoubt Trail crosses land preserved by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation. This 0.75-mile-long loop trail crosses through both open fields and wooded, gently rolling terrain.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 19, 2023
2. The Battle Begins Marker
Marker is on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 56 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 28, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
