Fishers Hill in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fisher's Hill
Confederate Gibraltar
— 1864 Valley Campaign —
Photographed By Craig Swain, December 1, 2007
1. Fisher's Hill Marker
Inscription.
Fisher's Hill. Confederate Gibraltar. , This is Fisher's Hill, the Shenandoah Valley's "Gibraltar", a commanding height that offered Confederate forces a superb defensive position., Confederate Gen. Jubal A. Early's beaten and bloodied army filed into position here on September 20, 1864, one day after the disaster at the Third Battle of Winchester. For the next two days the men strengthened their position, but no amount of digging could make up for Early's lack of men., Early's defensive line extended along Fisher's Hill for almost three miles. The right flank rested on Massanutten Mountain, but the left fell about one mile short of Little North Mountain, in front of you., His infantrymen held most of the line, and they were stretched thin, while a small number of cavalrymen occupied the left flank, which was "in the air" (not anchored on a natural feature such as a mountain or river). It was a weakness that the Union commander, Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, was determined to exploit. On the morning of September 22, he sent Gen. George Crook's corps toward Little North Mountain to strike the Confederate left., (sidebar) , The left flank of Early's infantry line stood on this hill. A one-mile loop trail will lead you along this part of the Confederate position, the scene of the decisive fighting at the Battle of Fisher's Hill. Use the brochure as your guide.
This is Fisher's Hill, the Shenandoah Valley's "Gibraltar"—a commanding height that offered Confederate forces a superb defensive position.
Confederate Gen. Jubal A. Early's beaten and bloodied army filed into position here on September 20, 1864, one day after the disaster at the Third Battle of Winchester. For the next two days the men strengthened their position, but no amount of digging could make up for Early's lack of men.
Early's defensive line extended along Fisher's Hill for almost three miles. The right flank rested on Massanutten Mountain, but the left fell about one mile short of Little North Mountain, in front of you.
His infantrymen held most of the line—and they were stretched thin—while a small number of cavalrymen occupied the left flank, which was "in the air" (not anchored on a natural feature such as a mountain or river). It was a weakness that the Union commander, Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, was determined to exploit. On the morning of September 22, he sent Gen. George Crook's corps toward Little North Mountain to strike the Confederate left.
(sidebar)
The left flank of Early's infantry line stood on this hill. A one-mile loop trail will lead you along this part of the Confederate position—the scene of the decisive fighting at the Battle of Fisher's Hill. Use
Click or scan to see this page online
the brochure as your guide.
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 date for this entry is September 22, 1864.
Location. 38° 59.334′ N, 78° 24.928′ W. Marker is in Fishers Hill, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. Marker can be reached from Battlefield Road (Virginia Route 601) 0.3 miles Tumbling Run Lane, on the right when traveling east. Located along the 1-mile loop trail on the Ramseur's Hill - Fisher's Hill Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Battlefield Rd, Fishers Hill VA 22626, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ramseur's Hill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle of Fisher’s Hill (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Fisher's Hill (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fishers Hill.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 13, 2015
2. Fisher's Hill Marker (slightly modified)
sectionhead>More about this marker. On the lower left is a "Map showing disposition of Union and Confederate forces at Fisher's Hill." The upper center is a drawing of "The Battle of Fisher's Hill, sketched from the heights to your right (north)."
Regarding Fisher's Hill. This is one of several markers interpreting the Battle of Fisher's Hill. See the Battle of Fisher's Hill Virtual Tour by Markers below.
Also see . . . 1. Battle of Fisher's Hill. National Park Service summary of the battle. (Submitted on December 12, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Battle of Fisher’s Hill. Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District website entry (Submitted on September 13, 2015.)
3. Fisher’s Hill. American Battlefield Trust website entry (Submitted on September 13, 2015.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, December 1, 2007
3. Map of Positions of Federal and Confederate Forces
Photographed By Craig Swain, December 1, 2007
4. The Marker with Fisher's Hill in the Background
Photographed By Craig Swain, December 1, 2007
5. CWPT Entrance Sign to the Battlefield Site
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 13, 2015
6. Ramseur's Hill - Fisher's Hill Battlefield
Battle of Fisher's Hill Virtual Tour by Markers
Follow the battlefield trail through HMDb markers: Click for more information.
Photographed By Craig Swain, December 1, 2007
7. The Funkhouser House
Visible from the hill is the one of the last structures in the area dating from the time of the battle. Built in the mid-1700s, the house still bears bullet scars from the battle. In the background is Little North Mountain, which forms the west boundary of the Shenandoah Valley.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,411 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on December 12, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 12, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on September 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 7. submitted on December 16, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
