The Battle of Front Royal: Warren County Courthouse
N 38° 55.073 W 078° 11.584
17S E 743358 N 4311410
Fighting grew hot in the streets, building to building, and the 1st MD CSA took control of the courthouse from the 1st MD USA.
Waymark Code: WMEAWK
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 04/29/2012
Views: 8
In 1862, Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson was sent to take command of the forces in Shenandoah Valley since it was an important source of supplies and a possible route for invading the north, including Washington, D.C. In February 1862, Gen. George McClellan took control of the Union army and planned an assault on Richmond, Virginia from the coast (Peninsula Campaign). Jackson was ordered the hold down the Federal troops in the Valley to prevent them from reinforcing McClellan. Even with a small army of poorly-trained troops and defeat at Kernstown in March, Jackson succeeded with brilliant strategies and maneuvers to maintain control of the Valley and prevent McClellan from receiving any help. Indeed, it would be Jackson who would reinforce Gen. Robert E. Lee in successfully defending Richmond against McClellan.
On May 23, Jackson defeated the 1st Maryland Regiment USA under Union Col. John Kenly sent to Front Royal to guard the bridge and railroad over the North and South Fork of the Shenandoah River and protect Gen. Nathaniel Banks' position in nearby Strasburg. With Jackson was the 1st Maryland CSA which dubbed the Battle of Front Royal as the Battle of Brother Against Brother.
The Battle of Front Royal Driving Tour is a site on the Civil War Discovery Trail that starts at the Front Royal Visitors Center and follows the battle through modern-day Front Royal.
The fourth stop on the tour is the Warren County Courthouse, where the fighting in the streets grew hot. Musket fire was traded from the courthouse and a Confederate hospital across the street. Again, the Marylanders from both sides confronted each other and the 1st MD CSA succeeded in overunning the 1st MD USA who occupied the courthouse. The fighting progressed down the street as the Federals retreated.
Women ran out oblivious to the danger cheering on the Confederates and pointing out locations of Union soldiers.
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