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

General James Dearing

Born 1840 • Died 1865

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, September 5, 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 by Town of Altavista.

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

Location. 37° 6.596′ N, 79° 17.469′ W. Marker is in Altavista, Virginia, in Campbell County. It is at the intersection of Washington Street and Broad Street, on the right when traveling south on Washington Street. The Marker is located at Staunton River Memorial Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Washington 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 Frank Board, MD

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(here, next to this marker); Colonel Charles Lynch (here, next to this marker); Founders Square (a few steps from this marker); Founding the Town of Altavista (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1928 Bridge Between Hurt and Altavista (approx. 0.2 miles away); Route of Old "97" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Purple Heart Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); War Memorial Park (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Altavista.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, September 5, 2026

2. General James Dearing Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, September 5, 2026

3. General James Dearing Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, September 5, 2026

4. General James Dearing Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, September 5, 2026

5. General James Dearing Marker

The Marker is located on the front porch of the Staunton River Memorial Library, as shown in this photo.

Staunton River Memorial Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, September 5, 2026

6. Staunton River Memorial Library

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 7, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.