Upperville in Fauquier County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battle of Unison
Stuart Holds the Line
| — | Antietam Campaign 1862 | — |
Photographed by Mike McKeown, July 5, 2024
1. Battle of Unison Marker
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
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(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° 59.432′ N,
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 24, 2026
2. Upperville and Battle of Unison Markers
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: A different marker also named Upperville (here, next to this marker); The Smith House (approx. ¼ mile away); The Gibson House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Armistead House (approx. half a mile away); The Upperville Library (approx. half a mile away); This Stone (approx. 0.6 miles 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.
Other markers no longer nearby. Battle of Unison (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Upperville (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
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 October 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 157 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 20, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on October 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
