Front Royal in Warren County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Guard Hill Engagement
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 7, 2007
1. Guard Hill Engagement Marker
In Aug. 1864, part of Confederate Lt. Gen. Richard H. Anderson’s corps threatened the left of Union Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan’s army. As Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt’s division approached on 15 Aug. to protect the Federal flank. Anderson ordered Brig. Gen. William T. Wofford’s infantry brigade and Brig. Gen. Williams C. Wickham’s cavalry brigade across the Shenandoah River to confront Merritt. Wickham was overwhelmed, however, on 16 Aug., and his troopers retreated toward Front Royal while Union Brig. Gen. George A. Custer’s brigade drove Wofford from Guard Hill. Sheridan then retired north to Charles Town, W. Va.
Erected 1999 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number J-11.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1864.
Location. 38° 57.187′ N, 78° 12.007′ W. Marker is in Front Royal, Virginia, in Warren County. It is at the intersection of Winchester Avenue (U.S. 340/522) and Guard Hill Road (County Route 637) on Winchester Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Front Royal VA 22630, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in the 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Guard Hill (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Bridges (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Execution of Mosby’s Rangers (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been permanently removed); Richardson’s Hill (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. This marker replaced a marker from the late 1920s or early 1930s erected near here with this same number but titled “Guard’s Hill Affair” which read, “General Fitz Lee’s cavalry, supported by a brigade of Kershaws infantry, detached from Anderson’s Corps at Front Royal, near here attacked Merritt of Sheridan’s cavalry, August 16, 1864. Merritt, on being reinforced, drove
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, August 19, 2007
2. Guard Hill Engagement Marker
Regarding Guard Hill Engagement. This marker is one of several from a driving tour of the Front Royal Battlefield. The markers are listed in sequence on the Battle of Front Royal Virtual Tour by Markers link below.
Also see . . .
1. The Battle of Guard Hill - August 16, 1864. Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation website entry (Submitted on April 29, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Battle of Front Royal Virtual Tour by Markers. Although recounting an encounter two years after the Battle of Front Royal, it is included here due to proximity. (Submitted on November 18, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 7, 2007
3. Two Virginia State Markers Beside Highway 340
Photographed by Forest McDermott, May 10, 2010
4. Guard Hill Engagement, Execution of Mosby's Men and Battle of Front Royal Marker
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 7, 2007
5. North Fork Crossing
In the later phases of the Guard Hill fight, both Wickham's and Wofford's commands re-crossed the river in this vicinity as part of their retreat.
Photographed by Craig Swain, November 22, 2007
6. Old Dam at Riverton
Wickham's men crossed in this vicinity when retreating from the battle.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,803 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on September 14, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on October 13, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 11, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 3. submitted on October 13, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on July 5, 2010, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on October 13, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on November 27, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
