The Battle of Front Royal: Fairview - Civil War Discovery Trail Sites on Waymarking.com

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 tenth and final stop on the tour is Fairview, which was the home of Thomas McKay. Col. John Kenly and the remainder of his Union force were in full retreat for Winchester after failing to hold Front Royal. On their tail, the 6th Virginia Cavalry followed in pursuit. Kenly tried to rally the troops for a final stand at the McKay home but were quickly overrun. Kenly was wounded and captured. The Battle of Front Royal was over.

Out of Kenly's 1000-man force, 904 were killed, wounded, or captured. The Confederate troops suffered less than 100 losses.

Fairview, a stone house, still stands. The house is open for special events and occasions.

References:

• Civil War Animated: The Valley Campaign
• "Brother Against Brother" The Battle of Front Royal Driving Tour (pamphlet)
• Battle of Front Royal - Shenandoah Valley Battlefields

Type of site: Historic Home Address: Winchester Rd. (US 340/522) (North of Front Royal) Front Royal, VA USA 22630 Phone Number: 540-635-5788 (Front Royal Visitors Center) Admission Charged: No Charge Website: [Web Link] Driving Directions: Front Royal Visitors Center (Start of the driving tour): 414 East Main St. Front Royal VA 22630 From I-66 exit 13, follow Route 55 west to the visitors center. From I-66 exit 6, take Route 340 south and follow the signs to the visitors cente

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Date Logged Log User Rating   07/24/2020 Markerman62 visited it