Fishers Hill in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fisher's Hill Battlefield
Veteran's Picnic Grounds
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 23, 2020
Soon after the end of the Civil War, veterans on both sides began holding reunions to walk the familiar battlegrounds and renew friendships with former comrades. Here at Fisher's Hill, veterans of the battle fought on September 22, 1864, started gathering in the 1880s to commemorate their war experiences. Local veterans and others purchased portions of the battlefield land to hold annual picnics. Over the years, hundreds and then thousands of Northern and Southern veterans attended with their families and friends. Participants from outside the local area took trains to nearby Strasburg, or to Staunton, 80 miles south, then journeyed here to the reunion each August. At their peak of popularity, these reunions often attracted 9,000-10,000 people. Here at Fisher's Hill there was a steam-powered merry-go-round as well as barbeque pits and picnic areas. National and state dignitaries often spoke at the reunions.
Such gatherings of veterans served several purposes, including battlefield preservation as well as opportunities to reminisce. Veteran's organizations, ladies' commemoration and memorialization societies, and other such groups were active in finding and laying to rest soldiers' remains dedicating and maintaining cemeteries, purchasing battlefield land, marking key sites with monuments, and honoring the service and valor of Civil War soldiers on both sides.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1862.
Location. 38° 59.04′ N, 78° 23.805′ W. Marker is in Fishers Hill, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. Marker is at the intersection of Battlefield Road (County Route 601) and Tripplet Road (County Route 821), on the right when traveling west on Battlefield Road. Located just to the east of the Norfolk Southern Railroad overpass. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fishers Hill VA 22626, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Stoner-Keller House & Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Creative Women of Fishers Hill (approx. ¼ mile away); Valley Pike (approx. half a mile away); The Battle of Fishers Hill (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Fisher's Hill (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Fisher's Hill (approx. 0.8 miles away); Ramseur's Hill (approx. one mile away); Fisher's Hill (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fishers Hill.
More about this marker. On the lower left is a map of the Fisher's Hill battle. On the right is a set of "Photographs from period magazines" which "depict the festive and community nature of the picnic." The set is titled Notable Gathering of Virginia's Old Guard - Interesting glimpses of the recent Confederate Veterans' Reunion at Fisher's Hill, VA. The photos show a Federal veteran and Confederate veteran shaking hands, a gathering of ladies listening to a veteran tell of the war, dignitaries speaking, and a group photo of the veterans at the reunion.
Regarding Fisher's Hill Battlefield. This is one of several markers interpreting the Battle of Fisher's Hill. See the links at the Battle Map above.
Also see . . . Battle of Fisher's Hill. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 4, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 23, 2020
Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,380 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 24, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on December 11, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 24, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on December 16, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.