Verdiersville in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Stuart's "Very Narrow Escape"

Photographed By Craig Swain, January 5, 2008

1. Stuart's "Very Narrow Escape" Marker

Inscription. At dawn on 18 Aug. 1862, Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart was awakened by the clatter of approaching cavalry. Expecting Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee to join him in scouting Maj. Gen. John Pope's Union army, Stuart was surprised by Federal troopers instead. Mounting his horse Skylark, Stuart vaulted a fence and barely escaped, but lost his hat. The next day, he wrote his wife that "I am greeted on all sides with congratulations and 'where's your hat!' I intend to make the Yankees pay for that hat." On 22 Aug., raiding Catlett Station, Stuart captured Pope's gaudy dress uniform coat and later suggested an exchange of "prisoners" to no avail.

Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number JJ-12.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 18, 1862.

Location. 38° 16.313′ N, 77° 53.768′ W. Marker is in Verdiersville, Virginia, in Orange County. Marker is at the intersection of Constitution Highway (State Highway 20) and Mine Run Road (County Route 621), on the right when traveling east on Constitution Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rhoadesville VA 22542, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Campaign of 1781 (approx. 1.7 miles away); Isabella Lightfoot Training School (approx. 4.1 miles away); Mine Run Campaign (approx. 5.2 miles away); Face Off (approx. 5.2 miles away); Robinson's Tavern (approx. 5.2 miles away); a different marker also named Mine Run Campaign (approx. 5.3 miles away); a different marker also named The Mine Run Campaign (approx. 5.6 miles away); a different marker also named The Mine Run Campaign (approx. 5.6 miles away).

More about this marker. A previous marker also numbered JJ-12 read, Near here, early morning August 18, 1862, General J.E.B. Stuart narrowly escaped capture.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Stuart's Revenge detailed in markers.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

2. Stuart's "Very Narrow Escape" Marker

Photographed By Pete Payette, March 2, 2012

3. Stuart's "Very Narrow Escape" Marker

Old Verdiersville House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

4. Old Verdiersville House

This house standing on Route 621, about a mile north of the Constitution Highway, stands near the location of the house where Stuart was surprised.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2017. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,364 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on February 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 10, 2017, by Pete Payette of Orange, Virginia. 4. submitted on February 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.