More Valley Sites

Battle of Wytheville – A series of five Civil War Trails interpretive signs describes the action on July 18, 1863, as a Federal raiding party marched to the Wytheville area intending to destroy the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad tracks and bridges. In addition, the force planned to destroy telegraph lines and the salt and lead mines nearby. After some skirmishing and confusion on the advance, Union Col. John Toland ordered his men into Wytheville. Hastily organized Confederate resistance succeeded in killing Toland in the street and limiting the damage to the railroad track and stock. The raid did not succeed in its mission as the track was quickly repaired.
    Landmarks of the battle and its aftermath are noted in the Trails tour. The tour begins near the intersection of I-77 and I-81 on State Route 52 at Route 680. For more information about the battle and other local history, contact the Wytheville Museum, 276-223-3426.

Battlefield at Cool Spring, Route 7, east of Berryville – State historical markers cite the action here as Confederate Gen. Jubal Early was pursued after his July 1864 foray to the suburbs of Washington D.C. Union forces, including those led by future President Rutherford Hayes, were repulsed bloodily. Trails sign off Route 7 east of Winchester at Route 603.

Saltville, north of I-81 on Route 107 – Salt wells here were crucially important to the Confederate war effort, important enough to be the focus of Union attacks late in 1864. Civil War Trails interpretation at two sites.

Marion – Civil War Trails sign in a small cemetery on East Main Street tells the story of Col. William Elisha Peters, who enlisted as a private in the Confederate army and quickly rose in the ranks. He was arrested briefly for refusing to join in the burning of Chambersburg, Pa. Wounded three times, he surrendered with his unit at Appomattox. He is buried nearby.

Engagement at Marion, Civil War Trails sign on Route 11 in Marion – Confederates, outnumbered 4:1 here, managed to hold off for two days (Dec. 16–18, 1864) Union forces raiding the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad and the salt and lead mines in the area. Local heros saved county records and other town resources.

Hanging Rock Battlefield, near Roanoke just off Route 311 about 0.5 mile north of I-81 exit 41 – Markers and monuments mark the spot of a running battle fought June 21, 1864, between Confederate forces under Jubal Early and Union troops under David Hunter as Hunter was withdrawing from Lynchburg. A new park with an interpreted battle trail and Civil War Trails interpretation.

J.E.B. Stuart Birthplace, Patrick County, located 25 miles west of Stuart, Va., and 5 miles north of Mt. Airy, N.C. – A self-guided walking tour is available at the site of the famed Confederate cavalry commander's birth. The site is supported by a foundation. Trails interpretation.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, extreme southwestern tip of Virginia into Kentucky on U.S. Route 58 – Exhibits and videos outline the history, including the Civil War era, of the great mountain gap, a gateway for armies passing between theaters during the war. Call 606-248-2817 about visiting the park.

Bedford, Trails sign located at the intersection of Main and Bridge streets – Union troops under Gen. David Hunter began arriving here June 15, 1864, and continued their mission of tearing up railroads and burning buildings used as Confederate supply depots. Following his occupation, Hunter marched to Lynchburg where he was defeated by Confederates under Jubal Early June 18.

Cedar Bluff – Two Civil War Trails interpretive markers describe the action here as Federal raiders made their way to the salt works at Saltville in 1864. Signs located at the Cedar Bluff Overlook Park off US 460 and at the Old Post Office, which was looted during the action.

Skyline Drive, Civil War signs located at Franklin Cliffs Overlook, just north of Big Meadows and the Byrd Visitor Center – Great views from here locate the New Market Gap and the Page Valley used so effectively by Stonewall Jackson during the war. A large map describes Jackson's various marches. Another sign tells of the last time Jackson crossed the mountains.

New River Bridge, Radford, Trails sign at far west end of Bisset Park off Route 11 – Union troops attacked and burned this critical railroad bridge May 10, 1864, following their victory at Cloyd’s Mountain the day before. The bridge was back in action in a month and survived until the last days of the war.

Booker T. Washington National Historic Monument, located in Franklin County, 25 miles southeast of Roanoke – The Civil War homefront on a small plantation is portrayed at this tobacco farm reproduction. Washington was born here in 1856 and, as a boy, saw the white family go off to war. Freed following the war, Washington went on to become a pioneer educator. Open daily 9 am–5 pm. Free. www.nps.gov/bowa or 540-721-2094.

Chilhowie, Trails sign at visitor center, I-81 exit 35 – Union Gen. George Stoneman headed into southwestern Virginia from Tennessee aiming to destroy railroads and the mines at Saltville. He camped here en route at a switching station on the critical Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. The track bed and the ruins of a home in the small village are still visible.