Wardensville in Hardy County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Wardensville
Crossroads of War
During the Civil War, most of Wardensville's two hundred residents supported the Confederacy. Southern guerrilla found friends here. On May 7, 1862, Union Col. Stephen W. Downey arrived here with a mixed force of infantry and cavalry, searching for guerrilla leader Capt. Umbaugh. He was found and killed.
On May 30-31, 1862, the largest number of troops who entered Wardensville during the war — almost 20,000 men under Gen. John C. Frémont — marched by in a steady rain. Frémont and his men were returning to the Shenandoah Valley, from which Confederate Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson had driven them earlier in the month, to face him again (and again suffer defeat) at Cross Keys and Port Republic on June 8-9.
Confederate Gen. John D. Imboden's men unsuccessfully attacked a Union supply train moving through here on December 22, 1862, on its way to Winchester with provisions for Gen. Gustave P. Cluseret. Federal forces had recently destroyed Imboden's camp near Moorefield, and he was gathering provisions for the winter.
On August 5, 1863, Union Gen. William W. Averell led a column of cavalry and artillery through town. He was beginning a raid to destroy gunpowder and salt works in Pocahontas and Greenbrier Counties. Several times during the war, Confederate Capt. John Hansen McNeill led his Rangers through Wardensville to attack union forces in the Shenandoah Valley to the east.
Across the road from you is the Wardensville Cemetery. At least twenty-eight Confederate soldiers and one Union soldier are buried here.
"The citizens of Wardensville were warned that they would be held strictly accountable for any future demonstrations of guerrilla warfare, and plainly informed that they only way in which they could save their houses from conflagration was for them to defend their territory against incursions of all lawless bands of guerrillas."
— Col. Stephen W. Downey, 3rd Maryland Infantry, US.
Erected by West Virginia 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 West Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1881.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 4.803′ N, 78° 35.528′ W. Marker was in Wardensville, West Virginia, in Hardy County. Marker was on Main Street (U.S. 48) north of High Street, on the left when traveling south. This portion of Route 48 is also WV 55. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 301 East Main Street, Wardensville WV 26851, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Wardensville (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Wardensville (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Son of Man (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lost and Found (approx. 3½ miles away); West Virginia (Hardy County) / Virginia (approx. 4.2 miles away); Capon Springs (approx. 6.3 miles away); Capon Lake Whipple Truss Bridge (approx. 6.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wardensville.
More about this marker. Marker stands between two older historical markers. They are at the Visitor Center.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2010, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,552 times since then and 56 times this year. Last updated on June 28, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 15, 2010, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 16, 2010, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.