Romney in Hampshire County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Grapeshot Among the Pines
The road passing before you is the Old Northwestern Turnpike (US 50 today). On September 23rd, 1861 a large force under General B.F. Kelley pursued Confederate forces to near this point. Using artillery pieces of the 4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry they fired at Confederate Forces of the 77th Virginia Militia, hidden in the pine thickets that can be seen on the hills beyond the campus of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
Like Napoleon in 1795 Paris when he ordered his troops to give the royalists “a whiff of grape,” the Federal Troop’s goal was to disrupt and disperse the enemy. There is little doubt that the experience of grapeshot left an indelible mark on the memory of John Starnes.
Grapeshot was a highly versatile artillery round designed to make a cannon much like a large shotgun. While the effective range of the smaller projectiles was limited, the close range effects were physically and psychologically horrific.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1814.
Location. 39° 20.376′ N, 78° 45.144′ W. Marker is in Romney, West Virginia, in Hampshire County. Marker is on Main Street (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Romney WV 26757, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Town of Romney (within shouting distance of this marker); Romney In The Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); W. Va School for the Deaf and Blind (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters (about 600 feet away); Jackson's Headquarters (about 600 feet away); John J. Cornwell House (about 600 feet away); To Our Hero Dead In World War II (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Romney.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 667 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on August 20, 2013, by James King of San Miguel, California. Photos: 1. submitted on August 22, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on September 10, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.