Woodbrook near Charlottesville in Albemarle County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Skirmish at Rio Hill

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 11, 2008

1. Skirmish at Rio Hill Marker

Inscription. On February 29, 1864, General George A. Custer and 1500 cavalrymen made a diversionary raid into Albemarle County. Here, north of Charlottesville, he attacked the Confederate winter camp of four batteries of the Stuart Horse Artillery commanded by Captain Marcellus N. Moorman. Despite the destruction to the camp, 200 Confederates rallied in a counterattack which forced Custer’s withdrawal. Few casualties were reported.

Erected 1989 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-197.)

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 date for this entry is February 29, 1864.

Location. 38° 5.226′ N, 78° 28.343′ W. Marker is near Charlottesville, Virginia, in Albemarle County. It is in Woodbrook. It can be reached from Woodbrook Drive west of Seminole Trail (U.S. 29). It is in Rio Hill Center, on the roadway that parallels Route 29 on the western edge of the shopping center between Woodbrook Drive and Myers Drive. If you are heading south on Route 29, go past Woodbrook and

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turn on Myers drive. Then take the first right into the shopping center. Continue straight ahead and it will be on left. If you are traveling north, you’ll have to turn left on Woodbrook, left into the shopping center, and then work your way through the parking lots back towards Route 29. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1766 Rio Hill Center, Charlottesville VA 22901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in 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: Rio Hill 1864 Skirmish (within shouting distance of this marker); Rio Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Springs (approx. 1.2 miles

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 11, 2008

2. Skirmish at Rio Hill Marker

Much of the skirmish was fought in the vicinity of the shopping mall near the marker.

away); Six Miles of Trails (approx. 1.2 miles away); Legacy of Hugh Carr / The Village of Hydraulic Mills (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Origins of Ivy Creek Natural Area (approx. 1.2 miles away); Pvt. Shadrach Battles (ca. 1753-1822) (approx. 1.2 miles away); Free State (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottesville.

Regarding Skirmish at Rio Hill. The word “Rio” is pronounced “Ryo” locally.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 11, 2008

3. Skirmish at Rio Hill Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4,996 times since then and 104 times this year. Last updated on August 26, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 14, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.