Brentsville in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Home of the "Boy Major"

Joseph W. Latimer

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 12, 2021

1. Home of the "Boy Major" Marker

Inscription. Southwest of Brentsville along Cedar Run stood "Oakland," the home of Joseph Latimer. Born in 1843, Latimer entered the Virginia Military Institute at age 16. He studied under Thomas Jackson and was first in his class. After Virginia joined the Confederacy in 1861, he helped train newly formed artillery units in Richmond. Fighting with distinction and praised by his commanders for his leadership, amiable disposition and sanguine temperament, Latimer was promoted to major in April 1863. At age 19 he was the youngest major in the Confederate Army. Mortally wounded on July 2, 1863 while commanding an artillery battalion at Gettysburg. Latimer died August 1, 1863 in Harrisonburg, Virginia and is buried there.

Erected 2015 by Prince William County Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Prince William County Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1863.

Location. 38° 40.304′ N, 77° 30.402′ W. Marker is in Brentsville, Virginia, in Prince William County. It is at the intersection of Bridwell Drive and Old Church Road, on the left when traveling east on Bridwell Drive

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. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10240 Bridwell Dr, Nokesville VA 20181, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area,

in Northern Virginia,

and in the Piedmont.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Brentsville (approx. 1.3 miles away); 1822 Tavern Site (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Tavern (approx. 1.3 miles away); Tavern Cellar (approx. 1.3 miles away); Outbuildings (approx. 1.3 miles away); Tavern Square (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named 1822 Tavern Site (approx. 1.3 miles away); One-Room School (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brentsville.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 12, 2021

2. Home of the "Boy Major" Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,020 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on December 6, 2023, by N. Jozsa of Woodbridge, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 12, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.