Fishers Hill in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fisher’s Hill
Pegram’s Division Collapses
— 1864 Valley Campaign —
As Ramseur’s division gave way under the weight of the Federal attack, Gen. Jubal A. Early arrived on the high ground in front of you on the opposite side of present-day Interstate 81 to organize a defense. He first decided to redeploy Gen. Gabriel C. Wharton’s division from the extreme Confederate right to the left flank. Because the maneuver would take time, however, Early attempted to slow his line’s disintegration. With Ramseur’s division essentially obliterated, Early ordered the next division in line—Gen. John Pegram’s—to stem the Union assault. Early also ordered the 13th Virginia Infantry, Pegram’s left-most regiment, to slow the rout by shooting any of Ramseur’s men who refused to make a stand. The Virginians declined to obey Early’s order.
Soon, the 13th Virginia as well as Pegram’s other regiments gave way. The collapse resulted not only from the general panic that Crook’s assault created, but also because of Union Gen. George W. Getty’s attack against Pegram’s front. Getty wrote that Pegram’s men “poured in one tremendous volley … then broke and fled in the wildest disorder.” With both Ramseur’s and Pegram’s divisions routed, the remaining Confederate divisions at Fisher’s Hill fell like dominoes from west to east, and the Federals secured the “Valley’s Gibraltar.”
(captions)
Gen. Stephen D. Ramseur Courtesy Library of Congress
Gen. John Pegram Courtesy Library of Congress
Gen. George W. Getty Courtesy Library of Congress
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° 59.259′ N, 78° 25.118′ W. Marker is in Fishers Hill, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. Marker can be reached from Battlefield Road (Virginia Route 601) 0.3 miles east of Tumbling Run Lane, on the left when traveling west. 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. A different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Fisher's Hill (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (about 500 feet away); Battle of Fisher’s Hill (about 600 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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fishers Hill.
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Fisher’s Hill. Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District website entry (Submitted on September 13, 2015.)
2. Fisher’s Hill. American Battlefield Trust website entry (Submitted on September 13, 2015.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 556 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 6, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.