PAGE VALLEY & THE CIVIL WAR
Page County, Virginia, known as the Luray Valley during the Civil War and later Page Valley, is located between the majestic Blue Ridge and Massanutten mountains on the east and west and with the ever-flowing Shenandoah River running south to north (yes, this is correct!).
Page Valley during the Civil War served as an avenue of armies through the Shenandoah Valley to and from Gettysburg and as a prominent thoroughfare for General "Stonewall" Jackson. Within the boundaries of this fertile valley, Confederate and Union soldiers marched and died, commanders contemplated strategies that would affect the entire Shenandoah Valley, supporters and sympathizers went about daily life at home, slaves were bought and sold, barns, mills, and bridges were burned, and General "Stonewall" Jackson, with 38,000 troops, marched through his "beloved" valley.
CIVIL WAR MARKERS IN PAGE VALLEY
White House Bridge
Located west of Luray on Route 211 – Stonewall Jackson’s cavalry chief, Turner Ashby, burned this bridge on June 2, 1862, to delay Federal pursuit. The battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic were fought a week later. Civil War Trails interpretation.
New Market / Luray Gap
Civil War Trails sign located at the gap in the former Forest Service parking lot – Near here on Nov. 23, 1862, Stonewall Jackson announced to his staff that his Army of the Valley had become the official Second Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia and soon would join Robert E. Lee’s troops on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Burning of Red Bridge
Civil War Trails sign located one mile east of US 340, at Route 650 — To avoid Federal annoyance while making plans at Conrad’s Store (modern Elkton) in late April 1862, Stonewall Jackson ordered bridges over the South Fork of the Shenandoah River burned. In a semi-botched operation, Red Bridge was the only one burned. The events led to a rift between Jackson and his popular cavalryman Turner Ashby.
Graves’ Chapel
Civil War Trails sign located six miles south of Luray – In late November 1862, Stonewall Jackson led 32,000 troops across the South Fork of the Shenandoah River en route to Fishers Gap. After crossing the mountains, Jackson rejoined the main body of the Army of Northern Virginia. It was the last time the general saw the Valley. He died following an accidental shooting at Chancellorsville in May the next year.
Shield’s Advance and Retreat
Civil War Trails sign located south of Luray on US 340 — Union Gen. James Shields crossed Naked Creek here on June 7, 1862 in pursuit of Stonewall Jackson’s army, then camped at Port Republic. After losing to Jackson two days later, Shield’s troops halted here during their retreat.
Willow Grove Mill
Civil War Trails sign located two miles south of Luray on Business 340 and Route 642 – The mill here and several other buildings in the area were burned in early October 1864 by Union troopers under Col. William Powell. The action was part of “The Burning” of the Valley ordered by Union Gen. Philip Sheridan.
A Page County committee for the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War developed a historical driving tour brochure, Discover Page County's unknown stories … the American Civil War. The brochure is an easy-to-follow informational guide to 24 historic Civil War sites throughout Page County. With GPS coordinates, a professionally-created map, and researched historical descriptions, the brochure was designed and created to be inclusive of all aspects of the Civil War in Page County.
A companion piece created by the committee spotlights additional stories of the American Civil War in Page County. With the help of historian and author Robert H. Moore, the Did You Know? document showcases stories of daily life, struggles, and valor in Page Valley during the Civil War.
