Front Royal in Warren County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Front Royal
Battle of Front Royal
— 1862 Valley Campaign —
On May 23, 1862, Front Royal was occupied by 1000 Federal troops (1st Maryland Infantry, 29th Pennsylvania and a battery of Knap’s Artillery) under the command of Col. J. R. Kenley
In the early afternoon Confederate Gen. T. J. “Stonewall” Jackson, after advancing his army north during the morning hours on the Luray Road, ordered Col. Bradley Johnson’s and Col. Roberdeau Wheat’s Louisiana Battalion forward. Kenly’s Federal infantry pickets were driven back from their positions 1½ miles from the village of Front Royal.
As the Confederate advance appeared on the wooded heights south of town, Jackson placed his artillery in a commanding position on Prospect Hill.
A charge by the confederates sent the Union soldiers through the town to join their main body on a height just north of the Winchester Pike (modern route 340/522). Kenley made a spirited resistance for a time but soon realized Jackson’s army was surrounding him. Kenley retreated quickly across the two rivers and attempted to burn the bridges. He failed. Jackson’s cavalry overtook the Federals at Cederville and the Confederate victory was complete.
The Union forces lost 904—killed, wounded and captured. The Confederates lost 36—killed and wounded. The battle is referred to as a “brother vs. brother” fight. The 1st Maryland Infantry, C.S.A., fought and captured the 1st Maryland Infantry, USA.
This action forced the main Federal army at Strasburg to withdraw along the Valley Pike. Jackson struck the moving force in the flank May 24, then pursued it to Winchester, fighting there May 25.
(Caption for portrait at the bottom of the marker) Col. John R. Kenley, 1st Maryland (U. S.) Infantry. Kenley was severly wounded during the Battle of Front Royal and his regiment overwhelmed. The Confederates climaxed their victory by seizing Kenly's flag.
(Caption for portrait at upper right of marker) Col. Bradley T. Johnson, 1st Maryland (C. S.) Infantry. Johnson had to deal with insubordination in his regiment on May 23, 1862. Scores of men refused to obey orders on the grounds that their terms of service had expired. With a speech that one of the men stated was “the most effective eloquence to which it has been my pleasure to listen,” Johnson reinvigorated his ranks for the Front Royal Fight.
(Sidebar on lower left of marker) Riverside, the home of Maj. James R. Richards, stands in the forks of the Shenandoahs and was in the path of the Battle of Front Royal. Stonewall Jackson slept here on the night of the Battle. “May 24. Last night the soldiers were coming in town til 12 o’clock and such shouting and cheering I have never heard before. I did not close my eyes with sleep the whole night. Our men have been bringing in prisoners all day...” —Buck Blakemore, Warren Heritage Society Archives
Erected by 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 month for this entry is May 1618.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 55.04′ N, 78° 11.331′ W. Marker was in Front Royal, Virginia, in Warren County. Marker was on East Main Street near Blue Ridge Avenue. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Front Royal VA 22630, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Site of Lane's Tavern (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Front Royal (within shouting distance of this marker); Williams Chapel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bel Air (approx. 0.2 miles away); Erin Dinner Bell (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Great Seal of the Confederacy (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Courthouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Capture of Front Royal (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Front Royal.
Regarding Front Royal. This marker is one of several from a driving tour of the Front Royal Battlefield. The markers are listed in sequence on the Battle of Front Royal Virtual Tour by Markers link below.
Also see . . . Battle of Front Royal Virtual Tour by HMDb Markers. (Submitted on November 18, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,452 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 11, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 2. submitted on June 8, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 22, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.