Near West Augusta in Highland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Edward Johnson

Photographed By Robert H. Moore, II, February 27, 2009

1. Fort Edward Johnson Marker

Inscription. On April 19, 1862, General Johnson, with General Lee’s approval, moved our regiment from Allegheny Mountain to Shenandoah Mountain. To protect ourselves from Yankee bullets, we dug about a mile of trench in this rocky ground. We then opened our field of fire by cutting down trees on the western slopes – the direction the Union Army was coming from.

We made breastworks by first piling logs laid on the downhill side of the trench, and then piling dirt on the outside of the logs. Our regiment could kneel in the trench and fire our rifles without being exposed to Yankee fire. Can you see what remains of the trench where I knelt behind the breastworks?

Erected by U.S. Forest Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Battlefield Trails - Civil War series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1873.

Location. 38° 18.706′ N, 79° 23.044′ W. Marker is near West Augusta, Virginia, in Highland County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 250, on the right when traveling west. Part of the “Confederate Breastworks Trail” at Fort Edward Johnson. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Augusta VA 24485, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 13 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker

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, measured as the crow flies. “It was cold business…” (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Fort Johnson (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Breastworks Interpretive Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); “The Shenandoah Mountain Pass is grand indeed…” (within shouting distance of this marker); Highland County / Augusta County (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort Edward Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); “Wee are faring badly…” (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Healing the Wounds (about 500 feet away); “… tolerable well fortified” (about 500 feet away); “We had a hardscrabble up…” (about 700 feet away); “Wee are now looking out for a fight…” (approx. 0.2 miles away); “… to go wee did not know where” (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mountain House (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Augusta.

More about this marker. The background of the marker is an illustration depicting the breastworks along the mountain crest.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Fort Edward Johnson virtual tour by markers.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 8, 2021

2. Fort Edward Johnson Marker

The marker has been damaged.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 2, 2010

3. Fort Edward Johnson Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,422 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 6, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 2. submitted on May 8, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on May 5, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.