Wise in Wise County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Gladeville in the Civil War
“The Burnt City”
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 17, 2015
1. Gladeville in the Civil War Marker
Inscription.
Gladeville in the Civil War. “The Burnt City”. Gladeville (present-day Wise) served for a time in 1862 as the headquarters for Confederate Gen. Humphrey Marshall, who directed operations in Southwest Virginia. Despite its relative isolation in this part of the state, the community here endured numerous encounters with Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War. A Federal raid here on June 1, 1862, led to the capture of preacher and county clerk of court Morgan T. Lipps. Lipps's response to demands that he offer a sermon to his captors was that “I don’t cast pearls before swine.” He ultimately relented and was released. The Federals soon departed but burned part of Gladeville first. , On July 7, 1863, fighting erupted in the streets of the town as Union Gen. Julius White’s force attacked, “completely surprising and capturing the place by storm.” Among the prisoners were 18 officers, including Col. Benjamin E. Caudill, and 99 men of the Tenth Kentucky Mounted Rifles (CSA). , In October 1864, Union Gen. Stephen G. Burbridge's forces swept through Grundy and Crab Orchard en route to Saltville. Burbridge failed to capture and destroy the salt works, but “a detachment sent to Pound Gap forced its way through and drove [Confederate Lt. Col. Clarence J.] Prentice, with a superior force, from his works at Gladeville, capturing several prisoners, a number of small arms and 1 piece of artillery.” The Federals left the courthouse here in ruins. , “This city ... has 9 resident families., One blacksmith and one saddle shop, and one store house, large church-like looking court house but no Church nor jail. Its population is about 1000 minus 965.” , Confederate Capt. Edward 0. Guerrant, February 14, 1862 , “[We arrived at Gladesville, the ‘burnt city.’ The country and town especially are much changed in appearance. Few houses ever stood in Gladesville, now much fewer are left, save in their smoldering ruins and charred and blackened skeletons.” , Confederate Capt. Edward 0. Guerrant, September 7, 1862
Gladeville (present-day Wise) served for a time
in 1862 as the headquarters for Confederate Gen.
Humphrey Marshall, who directed operations in
Southwest Virginia. Despite its relative isolation
in this part of the state, the community here
endured numerous encounters with Union and
Confederate forces during the Civil War. A Federal
raid here on June 1, 1862, led to the capture of
preacher and county clerk of court Morgan T. Lipps.
Lipps's response to demands that he offer a
sermon to his captors was that “I don’t cast
pearls before swine.” He ultimately relented and
was released. The Federals soon departed but
burned part of Gladeville first.
On July 7, 1863, fighting erupted in the
streets of the town as Union Gen. Julius White’s
force attacked, “completely surprising and capturing
the place by storm.” Among the prisoners
were 18 officers, including Col. Benjamin E.
Caudill, and 99 men of the Tenth Kentucky
Mounted Rifles (CSA).
In October 1864, Union Gen. Stephen G.
Burbridge's forces swept through Grundy and
Crab Orchard en route to Saltville. Burbridge
failed to capture and destroy the salt works, but
“a detachment sent to Pound Gap forced its way
through and drove [Confederate Lt. Col. Clarence
J.] Prentice, with a superior force, from his
works at Gladeville,
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capturing several prisoners,
a number of small arms and 1 piece of artillery.”
The Federals left the courthouse here in ruins.
“This city ... has 9 resident families.— One
blacksmith & one saddle shop— & one store
house, large church-like looking court house
but no Church nor jail. Its population is
about 1000 minus 965.” — Confederate Capt.
Edward 0. Guerrant, February 14, 1862
“[We arrived at Gladesville—the ‘burnt city.’
The country & town especially are much
changed in appearance. Few houses ever
stood in Gladesville—now much fewer are
left, save in their smoldering ruins & charred
& blackened skeletons.” — Confederate Capt.
Edward 0. Guerrant, September 7, 1862
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1862.
Location. 36° 58.627′ N, 82° 34.753′ W. Marker is in Wise, Virginia, in Wise County. Marker is on East Main Street (County Route 640) east of Spring Avenue, on the right. It is at the courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wise VA 24293, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Wise (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); E.M. Fulton House
More about this marker. Four portraits illustrate this marker: General Humphrey Marshall, Morgan Lipps, General Julius White, and General Stephen G. Burbridge.
Also see . . . The Civil War in Wise County. “When the Courthouse was fired some of the citizens gathered about and ventured to save most of the records. John Gilliam, a local soldier of the Union Army, was instrumental in helping to save the records. This was done because he owned property near Gladeville and knew his records were there. The only record book lost was Will Book No. 1.” (Submitted on November 22, 2015.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,470 times since then and 139 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
