Near Leon in Madison County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Engagement at James City

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 1, 2008

1. Engagement at James City Marker

Inscription. On 10 October 1863 Confederate cavalry cormmanded by Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart engaged Union cavalry and infantry under Brig. Gen. H. Judson Kilpatrick and Maj. Gen. William H. French at James City (present-day Leon). The two forces confronted each other atop the ridges on either side of the village, and an artillery duel ensued. James City virtually disappeared in the smoke. A Confederate detachment captured the Union signal station on Thorofare Mountain, a mile to the south. Late in the day Stuart repulsed a Union cavalry charge, and during the night the Union force withdrew toward Culpeper. This engagement was the only instance during the war when Stuart led a force without a Virginia regiment.

Erected 1994 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number G-28A.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is October 10, 1863.

Location. 38° 26.186′ N, 78° 8.624′ W. Marker is near Leon, Virginia, in Madison County. It is on Seminole Trail (U.S. 29) south of James City Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker cannot be seen across

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the median when traveling southbound. Make a u-turn at either Prince Michel Winery entrances. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Leon VA 22725, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Virginia

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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,

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kirtley's Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of James City (approx. 0.3 miles away); Madison County / Culpeper County (approx. ¾ mile away); Third Wis. Infty. (approx. 4½ miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (approx. 4.6 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (approx. 4.6 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 1, 2008

2. Engagement at James City Marker

(approx. 4.6 miles away); Hand-to-Hand Fighting (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leon.

Other markers no longer nearby. Battle of James City (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Battle of Cedar Mountain (was approx. 4.6 miles away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 1, 2008

3. Engagement at James City Marker

Thorofare Mountain, mentioned on the marker, is in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2017. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,761 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.