McDowell in Highland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Village of McDowell
Battle of McDowell
— 1862 Valley Campaign —
The house of Confederate Capt. Felix Hull is to the northwest facing the turnpike. It was Federal headquarters before the battle and Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson’s headquarters afterward. U.S. Gen. Robert C. Schenck probably wrote the message below from that building.
The home of Hull’s brother, George Washington Hull, just west of the turnpike, also served as a hospital after the battle. A Virginia Military Institute cadet, who arrived on May 9, later recalled, “There was a dead man laid on top of the piano, and in the dining-room on the table there was a litter with a man on it…. He died after about half an hour…. I was ordered to bury the two of them, which I did. They found a resting place under a big sugar maple along the bank of the river.”
That same day, Jackson pursued the Federals west on the Staunton-to-Parkersburg Turnpike, veering north toward Franklin on present day State Route 629.
“There is not a particle of forage here. The last has been given our, and all the horses of cavalry, artillery, and others have been without food today. This place is otherwise untenable and unfit for military defense. The rebels have appeared on the hills over-looking us today and we have shelled and had skirmishing, with no particular result…. If our horses starve a day longer they will not be able to draw away the train or carry us off.” – Gen. Robert C. Schenk, May 8, 1862.
Erected by Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation and 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 April 17, 1862.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 38° 19.917′ N, 79° 29.346′ W. Marker was in McDowell, Virginia, in Highland County. Marker was at the intersection of Bullpasture River Road (County Route 678) and Highland Turnpike (U.S. 250), on the right when traveling west on Bullpasture River Road. Marker is at the entrance to the Presbyterian Church parking lot. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Mc Dowell VA 24458, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. The Church and Cemetery (here, next to this marker); McDowell Presbyterian Church (a few steps from this marker); Battle of McDowell (within shouting distance of this marker); McDowell VA - May 8, 1862 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Guns of Cemetery Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Felix Hull House (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Battle of McDowell (approx. ¼ mile away); Highway To War (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McDowell.
More about this marker. On the right is a map showing the unit locations during the battle of McDowell. A larger map shows other Civil War related sites in the area. To the far right are portraits of Generals Schenck and Jackson.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,719 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on August 30, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 4, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 5, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on March 4, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 6. submitted on February 2, 2013, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. 7. submitted on January 28, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 8. submitted on March 4, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.