Leon in Madison County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battle of James City
Opening Battle of the Bristoe Station Campaign
August 10, 2007
1. Battle of James City Civil War Trails Marker
On October 10, 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, anticipating an offensive that became known as the Bristoe Station Campaign, sent a division of Confederate horsemen led by Gen. J.E.B. Stuart north from Madison on a raid.
Confederate Gen. James B. Gordon’s brigade drove Union Gen. Judson Kilpatrick’s troopers from the Robinson River to Bethsaida Church. Stuart attacked and drove Kilpatrick from the field.
Stuart pursued Kilpatrick to James City while a Confederate detachment was sent to shut down a Union signal station atop Thoroughfare Mountain.
As Stuart entered the village, he encountered two of Kilpatrick’s brigades and French’s infantry division which commanded six pieces of artillery. As Stuart approached, the Union troops withdrew to a position across Crooked Run in Culpeper County. They drew up in line of battle on a hill overlooking James City, with their artillery ready to confront Stuart, should he advance.
Throughout the remainder of the day, the opposing batteries engaged one another. About 4 p.m. the Union cavalry charged to within 200 yards of Stuart’s line, when deadly fire from Confederate sharpshooters cut them to pieces. Artillery fire continued until nightfall, leaving the inhabitants of James City caught in the crossfire. Smoke and fire settled over the village.
The
this page online
This was the only instance during the war when Stuart led a force completely without Virginians.
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. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 26.26′ N, 78° 8.276′ W. Marker was in Leon, Virginia, in Madison County. It could be reached from the intersection of Leon Road (Virginia Route 631) and North Seminole Trail (U.S. 29), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 3284 Leon Rd, Culpeper VA 22701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Northern Virginia and in the Piedmont. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Battle of James City (here, next to this marker); Kirtley's Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); Engagement at James City (approx. 0.3 miles away); Madison County / Culpeper County (approx. half a mile away); Third Wis. Infty. (approx. 4.3 miles away); a different marker also
August 10, 2007
2. Battle of James City Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Battle of Cedar Mountain (was approx. 4.3 miles away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. The marker features photos of Gens. Judson Kilpatrick and J.E.B. Stuart. Included also is a map outlining the movements and sequence of events of the Battle of James City.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Replacement CWT Marker At This Location also titled "Battle of James City".
Also see . . .
1. Battle of James City. excerpts from the Madison Eagle May 13, 1999. (Submitted on January 16, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. History of James City. “This is the historic property otherwise known as James City in what is now Leon, Virginia. Daniel James first purchased the property in 1796...” (Submitted on February 14, 2008, by Andrea Lynn Bruce-Smith of Westminster, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2008, by Keith Yoder of Centreville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 7,085 times since then and 139 times this year. Last updated on December 7, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 16, 2008. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
