Fishers Hill in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fisher’s Hill
“Close up! On your life!”—Gen. Battle’s Defense
| — | 1864 Valley Campaign | — |
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 13, 2015
1. Fisher’s Hill Marker
As Gen. George Crook’s corps struck the Confederate left flank, Gen. Stephen D. Ramseur responded quickly. He reformed Gen. Cullen A. Battle’s Alabama infantry brigade on the high ground on the opposite side of the ravine in front of you so that it faced west to meet the Union assault. Capt. Thomas J. Kirkpatrick’s Amherst Battery supported Battle’s position by firing double canister into Crook’s infantry. Capt. John Massie’s Fluvanna Artillery also wheeled its guns to the west to support Battle’s efforts to stem the tide of Union infantry.
While Confederate artillery and Battle’s Alabamians fired into the Union attackers, Battle grabbed a cedar stake and rode among his men while waving it over his head and shouting, “Close up! On your life!” Confederate artillerist M.S. Watts, who served in the Amherst Battery, wrote that Battle appeared as a “colossal figure” as he urged his regiments to stand firm against the Union tidal wave.
For a brief moment the Confederate fire stymied Crook’s assault. After the war, he wrote that the combination of fire from the two artillery batteries and Battle’s five regiments made “the ground hot for us.” Col. George D. Wells, who commanded one of Crook’s brigades, agreed “The enemy … with musketry and artillery gave us a heavy fire
this page online
(captions)
Gen. Cullen A. Battle Courtesy U.S. Army Military History Institute
Col. George D. Wells Courtesy Jonathan A. Noyalus
Confederate battery firing 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° 59.31′ N, 78° 25.253′ W. Marker is in Fishers Hill, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. 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: Confederate Left Disintegrates (here, next to this marker); The Coming Storm (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Crook's Attack (within shouting
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 13, 2015
2. Fisher’s Hill Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Fisher's Hill (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Fisher’s Hill. Shenandoah at War website entry (Submitted on September 13, 2015.)
2. Fisher’s Hill. American Battlefield Trust (Submitted on September 13, 2015.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 788 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
