Fairfax, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Dr. William Gunnell House

Built c.1835

— Old Town Fairfax —

Dr. William Gunnell House Marker image. Click for full size.

March 15, 2008

1. Dr. William Gunnell House Marker

Inscription. It was in this house that Ranger John Mosby captured the Union area commander Brig. Gen. Edwin H. Stoughton, in bed, the night of March 9, 1863.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Old Town Fairfax series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 9, 1862.

Location. 38° 50.87′ N, 77° 18.514′ W. Marker is in Fairfax, Virginia. It can be reached from Main Street. Private residence. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10520 Main Street, Fairfax VA 22030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

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 walking distance of this marker: Mosby (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gen. Corcoran (about 400 feet away); Old Fairfax Jail (about 600 feet away); Moore House (about 600 feet away); Efe Quality House (about 700 feet away); Home of Antonia Ford (about 700 feet away); Ford Building (about 800 feet away); Fairfax County Courthouse (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfax.

Also see . . . Mosby’s Sneak Attack. Part of the New York Times' Disunion Series, Rick Beards' article (3/8/2013)details Mosby's raid and capture of Gen. Edwin Stoughton. On the press coverage of Stoughton's capture: "Northern newspapers
Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online
had a field day at Stoughton’s expense. “A Union Brigadier General and Several Officers Gobbled Up,” blared one Washington paper’s headline. His capture was “utterly disgraceful,” claimed The New York Times, while The Baltimore American labeled him the “luckless sleeper at Fairfax” who was “Caught Napping.” Even President Lincoln weighed in, allowing that he “didn’t mind the loss of the Brigadier as much as the horses, for I can make a much better General in five minutes, but the horses cost one hundred and twenty-five dollars apiece.” (Submitted on March 11, 2013.)

Dr. William Gunnell House image. Click for full size.

March 15, 2008

2. Dr. William Gunnell House

Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2008. This page has been viewed 3,850 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 15, 2008. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.