Elkton in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Miller-Argabright-Cover-Kite House
Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters, April 19-30, 1862
— 1862 Valley Campaign —
In the days that followed, the house became a beehive of activity with the arrival and departure of couriers and officers including Gens. Edward “Allegheny” Johnson and Richard S. Ewell as well as mapmaker Jedediah Hotchkiss. A major disagreement developed here between Jackson and Col. Turner Ashby over the lack of discipline in the cavalry following a botched attempt to burn bridges in neighboring Page County.
While Jackson was consumed with military affairs, he did not forget his wife, Mary Anna. Unlike in Winchester a few months before, she was unable to join him here. “I do so much want to see my darling,” wrote Jackson, “but fear such a privilege will not be enjoyed for some time to come.”
Within days of leaving Conrad’s Store on April 30, Jackson gave Union observers the impression he had retreated from the Valley. However, in a series of stealthy moves, he reentered the Valley, and by May 8 had attacked and defeated General Robert H. Milroy’s Federal army at McDowell.
(sidebar): This house was built in 1827 by Henry Miller. Jr. (the grandson of Adam Miller, perhaps the first settler in this part of the Shenandoah Valley). Samuel Gibbons, a local resident, performed the joining and carpentry. Gibbons’ son, Simeon Beauford Gibbons, was later a student of Jackson at the Virginia Military Institute and, at the time of Jackson’s stay here, a colonel of the 10th Virginia Infantry, which encamped nearby. Col. Gibbons was the most senior Confederate officer killed at the Battle of McDowell.
Erected by Virginia 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 month for this entry is April 1838.
Location. 38° 24.542′ N, 78° 36.957′ W. Marker is in Elkton, Virginia, in Rockingham County. Marker is on East Rockingham Street, 0.1 miles east of Stuart Avenue / East Side Highway (U.S. 340), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 302 East Rockingham Street, Elkton VA 22827, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Jennings House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Elkton 9-11 Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Elkton World War II Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Adam Miller (approx. 0.8 miles away); Newtown (East Elkton) School (approx. one mile away); Rockingham County / Page County (approx. 3.9 miles away); History of Verbena (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elkton.
More about this marker. In the upper center the marker displays portraits of Gen. Jackson, Gen. Ewell, Col. Ashby, and and Gen. Johnson.
Regarding Miller-Argabright-Cover-Kite House. This 1827 house is a registered Virginia and National Historic Landmark and is owned by the Elkton Historical Society. Not normally open to the public.
Also see . . . Miller-Argabright-Cover-Kite House National Register Documentation. (PDF) The application provides additional details about the history of the dwelling. (Submitted on October 4, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,922 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 4, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on October 8, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on October 4, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on October 8, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 6. submitted on March 4, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 7, 8. submitted on April 16, 2009, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia.