Winchester, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Jackson’s Headquarters
I am quite comfortable
This Gothic Revival-style cottage, Alta Vista, was built in 1854 for William M. Fuller. The south-facing entrance overlooked a broad, open hillside with a commanding view of Winchester. The house’s owner in 1861, Lt. Col. Lewis T. Moore, 4th Virginia Infantry, offered it to the general for his headquarters.
Jackson’s wife, Mary Anna, joined him in December 1861. During his time in Winchester, Jackson became fond of the community and hoped to settle here after the war. One hundred years later, the house was purchased for a museum. The collection includes many artifacts associated with Stonewall Jackson.
“The situation is beautiful. The building is of cottage style and contains six rooms. I have two rooms, one above the other. The lower room, or office, has a matting on the floor, a large fine table, six chairs, and a piano. The walls are papered with elegant guilt paper. I don’t remember to have ever seen more beautiful papering, and there are five paintings hanging on the walls. ... The upper room is neat, but not a full story and ... remarkable for being heated in a peculiar manner, by a flue from the office below. Through the blessing of our ever-kind Heavenly Father, I am quite comfortable.” —Letter, Jackson to his wife, November 16, 1861.
Erected by Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 39° 11.372′ N, 78° 9.924′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of North Braddock Street (U.S. 11) and Peyton Street, on the right when traveling south on North Braddock Street. In front of Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 415 North Braddock Street, Winchester VA 22601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Jackson’s Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington's Well (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Loudoun (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Fort Loudoun (about 500 feet away); Site of Fort Loudoun (about 500 feet away); George Washington Lot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dangerous Liaison (approx. 0.2 miles away); Handley Library (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.
More about this marker. The marker displays a photograph of Alta Vista from 1905, a portrait of Jackson, and a picture of his prayer book, which bears the initials “Maj. T.J.J. U.S.A.”
Also see . . . Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters Museum. (Submitted on September 16, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,974 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 16, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.