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

The Woodbine Cemetery

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 17, 2020

1. The Woodbine Cemetery Marker

Inscription. The Woodbine Cemetery Company, Incorporated March 19, 1850

1877 These gates are erected in memory of the officers and members of the Woodbine Society, who gave generously of their time and means to beautify this cemetery, where they now rest from their labors. 1915

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is March 19, 1779.

Location. 38° 26.846′ N, 78° 51.759′ W. Marker is in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Marker is on East Market Street (U.S. 33), on the left. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harrisonburg VA 22801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Woodbine Cemetery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Anthony Hockman House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lucy Frances Simms (approx. 0.3 miles away); McNeill’s Rangers (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hardesty-Higgins House (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Harrisonburg Downtown Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles away); Court Square & Springhouse (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisonburg.

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Cemetery was incorporated in March 1850 and the first plot was purchased seven months later. The Confederate section was laid out in 1862 and, eventually, served as the final resting place for approximately 235 Confederate soldiers who fell in the Shenandoah Valley battles of 1862 and 1864. The soldiers represent the states of Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Louisiana, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Missouri, and Tennessee. In 1876, the Ladies Memorial Association erected the large monolith monument standing in the center of the Confederate section.

Confederate Colonel Simeon B. Gibbons, of the Tenth Virginia, was buried here after being killed at the battle of McDowell in may 1862. Likewise, following the death of Confederate major Joseph White Latimer at the Warren-Sipe House in the wake of the battle of Gettysburg, the “Boy Major” was buried here.

In addition to soldiers killed during the war, several Confederate veterans from the area were buried here in years after the war. Among some of the noteworthy names were those of Robert Johnston, D.H. Lee Martz, Foxhall A. Daingerfield, and John Robert Jones.

Robert Johnston (1818-1885) served as a delegate to the provisional Confederate Congress (1861-62) and as a delegate from Virginia to the First and Second Confederate Congress (1862-65).

Dorilus Lee Henry Martz (1837-1914),

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 17, 2020

2. The Woodbine Cemetery Marker

a native of Lacey Springs, served in the Virginia House of Delegates for four terms prior to the Civil War, and was lieutenant colonel of the 10th Virginia Infantry. After being captured by the Union army at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, he became one of the 600 Confederate officers known as the “Immortal 600.” After the war, Martz became a local businessman and served as the clerk of the Rockingham circuit court.

Major Foxhall Alexander Daingerfield initially opposed secession but was often cited for gallantry in combat. A graduate of the law school of Washington College (now Washington and Lee University), he served as a major in the Eleventh Virginia Cavalry. In the fall of 1861, he served as an orderly and courier to Gen. Robert E. Lee. After the war, he served for a time as mayor of Harrisonburg, Clerk of the Court for Rockingham County, and eventually moved to Kentucky where he served on the Kentucky State Racing Commission. His wife ,”Nettie” Gray Daingerfield was the daughter of Algernon S. Gray, a delegate from Rockingham County to the Virginia Secession Convention. She was also an author, having published the book, “That Dear Old Sword,” in 1903.

Confederate General John Robert Jones (1827-1901) was a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and commander of the 33rd Virginia Infantry (of the famed Stonewall

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 17, 2020

3. The Woodbine Cemetery Marker

Brigade). A brigade commander under Stonewall Jackson in the Seven Days Battles, he was relived for suspected cowardice after the battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam), Maryland. He was captured by Union troops at Smithburg, Maryland in July 1864 and was never exchanged. After the war, he became a businessman in Harrisonburg. He is best remembered for the intimate relationship with his former slave, Malinda Rice. One of the couple’s children, Mary Rice Hayes Allen, was a lifelong social activist and early leader in the local NAACP. General Jones publicly recognized his interracial children and supported them financially, which led to the divorce from his wife.

The mother of Confederate officer and post-war governor of Virginia Charles T. O’Ferrell, is also buried here. Janes laurens O’Ferrell, a native of Fauquier County, died in Bridgewater in May 1891. During the Civil War, she made the journey to her son’s bedside after hearing that he had been severely wounded at the Battle of Upperville. Despite the serious wounds, she was able to help nurse him back to health.

— Submitted February 26, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.

Confederate Monument in the center of the Confederate section of the cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, October 11, 2007

4. Confederate Monument in the center of the Confederate section of the cemetery

Headstone of Gen. J.R. Jones image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, October 11, 2007

5. Headstone of Gen. J.R. Jones

Headstone of Col. S.B. Gibbons image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, October 11, 2007

6. Headstone of Col. S.B. Gibbons

Headstone of Maj. Joseph W. Latimer image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, October 11, 2007

7. Headstone of Maj. Joseph W. Latimer

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,631 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 26, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.