Falling Waters in Berkeley County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

The Fighting Grows

"The first shell exploded over us'

— The Battle of Hoke's Run (July 2, 1861) —

The Fighting Grows Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike McKeown, June 20, 2026

1. The Fighting Grows Marker

Inscription.

The Fighting Grows. "The first shell exploded over us'. , As the firing grew in intensity around the Porterfield Farm, Union Col. Phaon Jarrett's 11th Pennsylvania arrived on the field. Seeing the 1st Wisconsin already engaged, Jarrett moved his troops west of the pike. His men quickly found themselves under fire, but Jarrett ordered them to hold their return fire, as most of the Confederates were hidden from view, leaving no targets, and most of the bullets were flying harmlessly overhead., Jarrett led three companies on a wide march to the west in an attempt to flank the Confederates, and to guard against southern cavalry he spotted in the area around you. Meanwhile, he ordered Lt. Col. Richard Coulter to take the rest of the regiment and push straight ahead through the fields west of the Turnpike., As the Pennsylvanians advanced, fire poured from the Potterfield house, farm buildings, and orchard. 19 year old Pvt. Amos Zuppinger was struck in the head and died, instantly. The Federals replied with their own volleys, as the Confederates around the Porterfield house and barn found themselves under growing pressure as that Union fire intensified. "The balls from the enemy flew thick and fast over our heads," recalled one Confederate. Some, new to battle, broke. Confederate John Opie later wrote, "When the first shell exploded over us, one of our company threw away his gun and fled down the pike at breakneck speed.", Others stood like hardened veterans. When a Union cannon ball smashed into a fence that Confederate Pvt. James Brooke was standing behind, tearing off the top rails, he calmly "stooped a little lower and continued to return the complement.", But more Union troops were coming down the pike from the north, and time was running out for the defenders.

When an angry Confederate officer demanded to know why one of his men was running away, the soldier replied: "Because I can't fly."

As the firing grew in intensity around the Porterfield Farm, Union Col. Phaon Jarrett's 11th Pennsylvania arrived on the field. Seeing the 1st Wisconsin already engaged, Jarrett moved his troops west of the pike. His men quickly found themselves under fire, but Jarrett ordered them to hold their return fire, as most of the Confederates were hidden from view, leaving no targets, and most of the bullets were flying harmlessly overhead.

Jarrett led three companies on a wide march to the west in an attempt to flank the Confederates, and to guard against southern cavalry he spotted in the area around you. Meanwhile, he ordered Lt. Col. Richard Coulter to take the rest of the regiment and push straight ahead through the fields west of the Turnpike.

As the Pennsylvanians advanced, fire poured from the Potterfield house, farm buildings, and orchard. 19 year old Pvt. Amos Zuppinger was struck in the head and died, instantly. The Federals replied with their own volleys, as the Confederates around the Porterfield house and barn found themselves under growing pressure as that Union fire intensified. "The balls from the enemy flew thick and fast over our heads," recalled one Confederate. Some, new to battle, broke. Confederate John Opie later wrote, "When the first shell exploded over us, one of our company threw away his

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gun and fled down the pike at breakneck speed."

Others stood like hardened veterans. When a Union cannon ball smashed into a fence that Confederate Pvt. James Brooke was standing behind—tearing off the top rails—he calmly "stooped a little lower and continued to return the complement."

But more Union troops were coming down the pike from the north, and time was running out for the defenders.

When an angry Confederate officer demanded to know why one of his men was running away, the soldier replied: "Because I can't fly."

(caption) "Battle of Hoke's Run" from July 27, 1861, edition of Harper's Weekly. The Porterfield House can be seen left center, and the Williamsport Pike (where modern US-11 runs today) at left.

Erected 2026 by Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, Falling Waters Battlefield Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1861.

Location. 39° 32.867′ N, 77° 55.119′ W. Marker is in Falling Waters, West Virginia, in Berkeley County. It can be reached from Saint Andrews Drive (County Road 3/1) 0.2 miles south of Hammonds Mill Road (State Route 901), on the left when traveling south. Along the hiking trail

Photographed by Mike McKeown, June 20, 2026

2. The Fighting Grows Marker

at the Springs Mills Community Park/Falling Waters battlefield park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Falling Waters WV 25419, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Eastern Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. 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

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Advance to Battle (a few steps from this marker); Action at Stumpy's Hollow (within shouting distance of this marker); Skirmishers Pull Back (within shouting distance of this marker); Federals Cross the Potomac (within shouting distance of this marker); Protecting History and Nature (within shouting distance of this marker); The Manassas Campaign (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stumpy’s Hollow (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Stumpy's Hollow (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Falling Waters.

Also see . . .
1. Battle of Hoke's Run (Wikipedia). (Submitted on June 20, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland.)
2. Shenandoah Battlefields Foundation. (Submitted on June 20, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 20, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.