Upperville in Fauquier County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Battle of Unison

Stuart Holds the Line

— Antietam Campaign 1862 —

Battle of Unison Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike McKeown, July 5, 2024

1. Battle of Unison Marker

Inscription.

Battle of Unison. Stuart Holds the Line. , From this Vineyard Hill location on Monday, November 3, 1862, you would have been standing behind a line of 900 Confederate troopers and 12 cannons commanded by Gen. J.E.B. Stuart that stretched across the Ashby's Gap Turnpike, modern Rt. 50. The Southern troops had slowly retreated to this position from Philomont and Unison-as they contested the advance of Gen. George McClellan's Army of the Potomac into Virginia that began on October 27, the Union's first serious push after the September 17 Battle of Antietam, Md., At roughly 9 A.M., the fields to your left and front darkened with Union Gen. Alfred Pleasonton's 4,000 troopers and infantry supported by 18 cannons. Small arms fire and artillery blasts echoed off the rolling hills along the turnpike., The Southern cavalry tenaciously held almost all day, but a Union infantry attack on this side of the road turned Stuart's line. Union cavalry chased Stuart's men in a wild gallop across the fields in front of you and down the turnpike to your left, toward Upperville. Confederate cannons posted in Ashby's Gap stopped the Union pursuit., Stuart, however, had delayed McClellan long enough for a large portion of the Army of Northern Virginia to reach Culpeper and block an advance on Richmond. By November 7, McClellan was camped near Rectortown. There, during an early season snowstorm, he received word that President Lincoln had replaced him as commander of the Army of the Potomac with Gen. Ambrose Burnside. The next year, 1863, Stuart and Pleasonton again fought here during the Gettysburg Campaign., (Sidebar) , Surrounded by War , Ida Dulaney watched the battle from Oakley Plantation. She wrote in her diary, "I sat on the balcony of my room and watched the battle … With the aid of a spyglass, we could see many movements of our men … It is a strange sight to us in our withered quiet country to hear the roar and see the flash of artillery, to watch the movements of an army, and feed … dozens of soldiers wearied by a hard day's fight."

From this Vineyard Hill location on Monday, November 3, 1862, you would have been standing behind a line of 900 Confederate troopers and 12 cannons commanded by Gen. J.E.B. Stuart that stretched across the Ashby's Gap Turnpike, modern Rt. 50. The Southern troops had slowly retreated to this position from Philomont and Unison-as they contested the advance of Gen. George McClellan's Army of the Potomac into Virginia that began on October 27, the Union's first serious push after the September 17 Battle of Antietam, Md.

At roughly 9 A.M., the fields to your left and front darkened with Union Gen. Alfred Pleasonton's 4,000 troopers and infantry supported by 18 cannons. Small arms fire and artillery blasts echoed off the rolling hills along the turnpike.

The Southern cavalry tenaciously held almost all day, but a Union infantry attack on this side of the road turned Stuart's line. Union cavalry chased Stuart's men in a wild gallop across the fields in front of you and down the turnpike to your left, toward Upperville. Confederate cannons posted in Ashby's Gap stopped the Union pursuit.

Stuart, however, had delayed

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

McClellan long enough for a large portion of the Army of Northern Virginia to reach Culpeper and block an advance on Richmond. By November 7, McClellan was camped near Rectortown. There, during an early season snowstorm, he received word that President Lincoln had replaced him as commander of the Army of the Potomac with Gen. Ambrose Burnside. The next year, 1863, Stuart and Pleasonton again fought here during the Gettysburg Campaign.

(Sidebar)
Surrounded by War
Ida Dulaney watched the battle from Oakley Plantation. She wrote in her diary, "I sat on the balcony of my room and watched the battle … With the aid of a spyglass, we could see many movements of our men … It is a strange sight to us in our withered quiet country to hear the roar and see the flash of artillery, to watch the movements of an army, and feed … dozens of soldiers wearied by a hard day's fight."

Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 3, 1862.

Location. 38° 59.444′ N,

Paid Advertisement

77° 52.335′ W. Marker is in Upperville, Virginia, in Fauquier County. It is on John S Mosby Highway (U.S. 50) west of Dunvegan Drive, on the right when traveling east. The marker stands Vineyard Hill in Upperville Park across the Route 50 from Ivy Hill Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8585 John S Mosby Hwy, Upperville VA 20184, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Upperville (a few steps from this marker); The Smith House (approx. ¼ mile away); The Gibson House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Armistead House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Upperville Library (approx. half a mile away); This Stone (approx. half a mile away); Mary Elizabeth Conover Mellon (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lee Moves North Again (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Upperville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Battle of Unison (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Battle of Unison (Battle of Union) 1862 (History of Loudoun County). (note marker is actually in Fauquier County) (Submitted on December 20, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland.)

2. Maryland (or Antietam campaign) Wikipedia. (Submitted on December 20, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 130 times since then and 81 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 20, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker showing it in its environment • Can you help?