Leon in Madison County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battle of James City
"Brought Between Two Fires"
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Photographed by Mike McKeown, December 7, 2025
1. Battle of James City Marker
In early October 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee launched his troops or a turning movement around the right flank of Gen. George G. Meade's Union army. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry led the way, tasked with screening the advance and capturing the Federal signal station on Thoroughfare Mountain.
Early on October 10, Stuart's cavalry scattered Union pickets at Russell's Ford, overwhelmed Federal infantry near Bethsaida Church, and advanced towards James City, skirmishing with Union horsemen. Union Gen. Henry Davies's cavalry brigade was positioned here, but realizing he was outmanned, Davies withdrew to high ground on the other side of Crooked Run. His withdrawal enabled the Confederates to drive the Union signalmen off Thoroughfare Mountain.
Reaching this high ground, Stuart deployed cannon that engaged in an artillery duel with Union guns, and "The unfortunate inhabitants of James City [were] brought between two fires."
When Union Gen. George A. Custer and his 5th Michigan Cavalry arrived to reinforce Davies, Custer ordered his men to charge the Confederate guns, but a volley from dismounted southern cavalrymen threw them back.
The
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"[We] continued...to James City, where a battle raged with fury and slaughter." Regimental history of the 5th New York Cavalry
(sidebar) Founded in 1796, James City served as a stop on the stagecoach line connecting Fredericksburg and Charlottesville. Many original buildings still stand today, including the one behind you, which housed a tavern and a store.
(caption) J.E.B. Stuart and his cavalry Courtesy New York Public Library
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 date for this entry is October 10, 1863.
Location. 38° 26.258′ N, 78° 8.276′ W. Marker is in Leon, Virginia, in Madison County. It can be reached from Leon Road south of North Seminole Trail (U.S. 29), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Culpeper VA 22701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Virginia and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kirtley's Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); Engagement at James City (approx. 0.3 miles away); Madison County / Culpeper County
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 16, 2026
2. Battle of James City Marker
Route 29 intersects with Leon Road in the background.
Other markers no longer nearby. Battle of James City (has been replaced with this marker); Battle of Cedar Mountain (was approx. 4.3 miles away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old CWT Marker At This Location also titled "Battle of James City".
Library of Congress
3. Union Gen. Henry E. Davies
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 16, 2026
4. James City
James City proper. At the time of the engagement, the Leon Road (paved and modern, now - shown at right) bent to the northeast as shown in the marker, while another road split off to the immediate east. The ruins of James City straddle the trace of that old road just south of the marker. The tavern mentioned in the lower right box of the marker is at left. The tavern, built ca. 1817 by Daniel James, is the middle portion of the three-winged building. The store nearest Leon Road was the original house, modified into a store in the late 19th century, while the west wing out in the woods was a kitchen. Both predate the tavern and are from the late 18th century or early 19th.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 16, 2026
5. James City Feed Store
This antebellum building, originally a feed store, used to have a connected school and a chimney on its east end that have collapsed over the past 10 years (between 2015-25). It was present during the battle and at one time featured Civil War soldier graffiti on the 2nd floor. It is owned by the James City Foundation, Inc., and while visible from the Leon Road intersection, is inaccessible to the public. Photo taken with a zoom lens from the fence line. Note the old road trace running directly in front of the store; this was the main road through James City.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 80 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 7, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on March 20, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on December 7, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on March 20, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
