Altavista in Campbell County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

General James Dearing

Born 1840 • Died 1865

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026

1. General James Dearing Marker

Inscription. General Dearing, who was raised at nearby Otterbourne, resigned from West Point in 1861 to join the Confederacy. He led his troops at the battles of Manassas, Antietam, and Gettysburg. At Plymouth, N.C., he ordered the first artillery charge in the history of warfare, and was promoted to Brigadier General on the battlefield.

Dearing also fought with distinction at the Wilderness, the siege of Petersburg and at High Bridge, where he was mortally wounded. He died in Lynchburg on April 22, 1865 - the last Confederate General to die of his war wounds. Though buried first at Avoca, his remains were later moved to Spring Hill Cemetery in Lynchburg.

Erected 1982 by Avoca Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 22, 1865.

Location. 37° 7.794′ N, 79° 16.167′ W. Marker is in Altavista, Virginia, in Campbell County. It can be reached from Avoca Lane west of Main Street (Business U.S. 29), on the right when traveling west. The Marker is located on the grounds of the Avoca Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1514 Main Street, Altavista VA 24517, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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 walking distance of this marker: Colonel Charles Lynch (here, next to this

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

marker); Altavista 9/11 Memorial (here, next to this marker); Civil War Cannon (a few steps from this marker); Uses for Avoca's Colonial Herb Garden (a few steps from this marker); Herb Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Smoke House (within shouting distance of this marker); Tories, Treachery, Treason, and a Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Gen. James Dearing (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Altavista.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026

2. General James Dearing Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026

3. General James Dearing Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026

4. General James Dearing Marker

The Avoca Museum can be seen in the background.

General James Dearing image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026

5. General James Dearing

Portrait on display in the Avoca Museum.

General James Dearing's Uniform image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026

6. General James Dearing's Uniform

On display in the Avoca Museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 22 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 11, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.