Virginia Mountain Escapes

Virginia Civil War Battlefields

Our Cabins in Luray are beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain Virginia Cabins located right in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Surrounded by scenic beauty and pristine landscapes, your visit to Luray Virginia will leave you rested and relaxed. If you are visiting Luray VA, you might enjoy spending the day exploring these great Virginia Civil War Battlefields. The Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia played a prominent role in the Virginia Civil War with troops from both sides camping out in various places. Legendary confederate General Stonewall Jackson made a name for himself as he successfully led his cavalrymen against three significant surges from the Federal troops. Creating numerous Virginia Civil War Battlefields across the region that are marked and enjoyed today, the Civil War in Virginia changed the course of the war several times.

Burning of Red Bridge
In April of 1862, Stonewall Jackson’s troops were situated near Elkton, and Jackson used Conrad’s Store (in modern day Elkton) as a meeting ground and camp meeting spot. When Jackson learned that the Union armies were advancing towards his position in the Shenandoah, Jackson ordered all bridges on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River to be destroyed by fire. In a failed attempt, Jackson’s faithful cavalryman Turner Ashby only successfully burned one bridge, Red Bridge.

Graves’ Chapel
Graves Chapel is the site of General Jackson’s “Last Glimpse of the Valley” and the area where Jackson led his troops to join with the Army of Northern Virginia. Located just six miles south of Luray Virginia off of Route 689, Graves’ Chapel is the area in which Jackson led his 32,000 troops across the South Fork of the Shenandoah River as he was making his way to Fishers Gap. It is believed that this is the last time that Jackson was in the valley, as he moved on to other areas and he died in May of the next year before ever returning.

New Market/Luray Gap
It was at this location in New Market VA, in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests that Stonewall Jackson revealed his troops and announced that their army, the Army of the Valley, was now officially a part of the Second Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. After announcing this, the troops marched on to join Robert E. Lee’s army that was situated on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

New Market Battlefield Historical Park

Just a short distance from Luray Gap and New Market VA is the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park. It was at this site of the Virginia Civil War that 257 Virginia Military Institute cadets waged a battle against Union forces and helped to win a victory for the Confederacy. At the park, visitors can explore this three hundred acre Virginia Civil War Battlefield, the Bushong Farm and Family Home, and check out the exhibits at the Hall of Valor Civil War Museum. The New Market Battlefield has several great overlooks, picnic spots and short walking trails, perfect for enjoying an afternoon at the park. Open daily, year around (except for holidays) from 9 to 5, the New Market Battlefield is a fantastic place to learn about the Civil War Battles in Virginia that took place in the Shenandoah Valley. Call 1-866-515-1864 for more information.

Shield’s Advance and Retreat
It was at this Civil War Site in Virginia that Union General James Shields crossed over Naked Creek in June of 1862 in pursuit of Jackson’s confederate army, which was camped out at Port Republic. Two days after crossing Naked Creek, Shield’s men were defeated by Jackson’s troops and thus they halted their march onward.

The White House Bridge
The White House Bridge is located just west of Luray on Route 211. On June 2, 1862 the bridge played an important role in the Civil War in Virginia when it was burned in the early morning hours just before the Union army came through in an attempt to subdue General Stonewall Jackson’s confederate army. Stonewall Jackson’s cavalry chief, Turner Ashby set the bridge on fire just an hour before the Union troops reached this region of the Shenandoah River. Confederate General Jackson later went on to defeat the Union armies at separate battles at Cross Keys and Port Republic a week later.

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