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

Stumpy’s Hollow

July 2, 1861

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2011

1. Stumpy’s Hollow Marker

The Battle of Falling Waters was the first action of the Civil War in the Shenandoah Valley.

Inscription. Site of JEB Stuart’s capture of Union Soldiers

Erected by 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° 32.935′ N, 77° 55.095′ W. Marker is in Falling Waters, West Virginia, in Berkeley County. It is at the intersection of Hammonds Mill Road (West Virginia Route 901) and St. Andrews Drive (County Road 3/1), on the right when traveling west on Hammonds Mill Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5086 Hammonds Mill Road, 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

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of this marker: The Battle of Falling Waters (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Stumpy's Hollow (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fighting Grows (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Advance to Battle (about 500 feet away); Action at Stumpy's Hollow (about 500 feet away); Protecting History and Nature (about 500 feet away); Federals Cross the Potomac (about 600 feet away); Skirmishers Pull Back (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Falling Waters.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Battle of Falling Waters (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. An identical marker stands on the opposite end of the wayside.

Also see . . . Battle of Falling Waters - July 2, 1861. Falling Waters Battlefield Association website homepage (Submitted on August 7, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Additional commentary.
1. Battle of Falling Waters
On July 2, 1861, 3,500 Union troops under Gen. Robert Patterson entered [West] Virginia north

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 6, 2020

2. Stumpy’s Hollow Marker

of here. His objective was to engage a Division under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston to prevent them from reinforcing the Confederates massing near Manassas. A company of the 15th Pennsylvania Volunteers rested at a split rail fence at this location while their captain reconnoitered. A mounted Lt. Colonel in a blue uniform approached and ordered the men to dismantle part of the fence so that he could pass. After the Pennsylvanians finished, the officer identified himself as Confederate JEB Stuart (still wearing his Union uniform) and demanded their surrender. With Confederate reinforcements arriving, the entire company complied. This was the start of the Battle of Falling Waters.

— Submitted August 7, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.

Marker and Split-rail Fence at Stumpy’s Hollow image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2011

3. Marker and Split-rail Fence at Stumpy’s Hollow

The Falling Waters Battlefield Association recently constructed this split-rail fence at Stumpy’s Hollow to increase public awareness of the battle and the site.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,508 times since then and 126 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 7, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on November 6, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on August 7, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.