Front Royal in Warren County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battle of Front Royal
May 23, 1862
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 24, 2010
1. Battle of Front Royal Marker
Confederate Army of 16,000 under General Stonewall Jackson overwhelmed a Federal outpost of 1,000 under Colonel John R. Kenly. The Confederates approached Front Royal undetected from southwest on the afternoon of May 23. Spy Belle Boyd gave the advance units of Ewell's division information on Federal positions and the Confederate 1st Maryland Regiment of Ewell's Division led the attack against Kenly's Federal 1st Maryland. After the opening assault the Federals took an artillery position on the heights just north of the rivers. Confederates crossed the river bridges before Federals could destroy them. Outnumbered, the Federals retreated toward Winchester. Colonel T.S. Flournoy's cavalry pursued and smashed Kenly's command in a classic charge at Cedarville. Federal Army of 6,500 under Banks at Strasburg, being outflanked, withdrew northeast on Valley Pike May 24.
Erected 1964 by Virginia Civil War Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant day of the year for for this entry is May 23.
Location. 38° 57.189′ N, 78° 12.007′ W. Marker is in Front Royal, Virginia, in Warren County. It is at the intersection of Winchester Road (U.S. 340) and Guard Hill Road (County Route 637), on the right when traveling south
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in the Shenandoah Valley. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Execution of Mosbys Men (here, next to this marker); Guard Hill Engagement (here, next to this marker); Guard Hill (approx. Ό mile away); Race For The River (approx. 0.8 miles away); Recreational Center of Front Royal (approx. 1.1 miles away); a different marker also named Richardson's Hill (approx. 1.2 miles away); Rose Hill (approx. 1.6 miles away); The McKay Home (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Front Royal.
Other markers no longer nearby. Guard Hill (was approx. Ό mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Bridges (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Execution of Mosbys Rangers (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been permanently removed); Richardsons Hill (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . . Battle of Front Royal May 23, 1862. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on August 10, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 24, 2010
2. Battle Map
Battle of Front Royal Driving Tour by HMDb markers:
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 24, 2010
3. Markers at Guard Hill
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 24, 2010
4. Road up Guard Hill
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 24, 2010
5. North Fork of the Shenandoah River
The modern highway bridge is upstream of the wartime bridges.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,097 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 25, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
