Mosby Country: The Route 50 Corridor

The John Singleton Mosby Heritage Area covers approximately 1,600 square miles in five Northern Virginia counties west of Washington DC. Confederate Col. Mosby's irregular troopers and tactics so controlled the area that it became known as "Mosby's Confederacy" during the later years of the war. Information about touring the area is carried at the visitor centers in Leesburg and Warrenton.

In addition to maps, a variety of taped driving tours and maps covering Mosby's exploits and other Civil War area topics have been created by the folks at the Mosby Heritage Area. For details, call 540-678-6681 or see www.mosbyheritagearea.org.

More Mosby-associated sites are interpreted by Virginia Civil War Trails in Fauquier County and Front Royal.

Click for  Interactive MAP  to Mosby Country (opens new browser window).

Mount Zion Church, just east of Route 15 on U.S. Route 50 – Built in 1851, this building and its grounds served as hospital and battlefield during the war. Confederate partisan rangers under John S. Mosby routed Federal pursuers here July 4, 1864. Currently under restoration. Historical marker on site.

Aldie Mill
Just west of Route 15 on U.S. Route 50
703-327-6118
    Fighting swirled in the area as mounted men fought in the area June 17, 1863, screening the armies as they moved toward what would be the battle at Gettysburg. The cavalry fighting moved west along modern Route 50 through Middleburg, Goose Creek Bridge and Upperville. The 1807-1809 mill also was the site of fighting involving Mosby's men on two occasions in 1861. Open for tours noon–5 pm Sundays April 25–Oct 31. Donations welcome. Civil War Trails sign.

Middleburg, Trails interpretation one block north of Route 50 on Madison Street – Lots of Northern Virginia rural charm and clusters of historic buildings remain to remind visitors of the town's Civil War associations. Fighting raged through here during the "Prelude to Gettysburg" cavalry fighting June 19, 1863. The town also was a Mosby base.

Rector's Crossroads
Trails sign just south of Route 50 at Route at Atoka Road (between Middleburg and Upperville)
 Road map 
    Confederates under J.E.B. Stuart fought a delaying action just west of here allowing the main body of Southern cavalry to concentrate at a strong position on the west side of Goose Creek Bridge. In the parlor of the stone house seen from the intersection, John S. Mosby first wrote orders for his famous "Rangers."

Goose Creek Bridge, historic interpretation north of Route 50 just west of Atoka – The circa 1810 bridge is now bypassed by Route 50. J.E.B. Stuart's Confederate cavalry held off Union cavalry and infantry here for awhile during the fighting June 21, 1863.

Upperville
Trails signs at both the east and the west sides of town along Route 50. Look for the wayfinder signs.
 Road map 
    Stuart's troopers again fought hard in and around this small town as they attacked, gave ground, and counter-attacked along the road June 21. The Confederate resistance proved successful in the end as Lee moved his army to Pennsylvania unseen.

Ewell's Chapel, Trails marker just off US 15, 2.7 miles north of Route 234, south of Route 50 – A Federal trap set for John S. Mosby June 22, 1863, failed to capture the Confederate partisan and his rangers. A Union casualty of the little fight is buried near the chapel.