Moorefield, West Virginia: Accomplice Bastion within the Union State

Returning to the Shenandoah Valley after participating in Lt. Gen. Jubal Early’s raid on Washington, D.C., and the burning of Chambersburg, Pa., each in July 1864, Accomplice cavalry beneath Brig. Gen. John McCausland and Brig. Gen. Bradley T. Johnson bivouacked within the fields of Moorefield, W.Va. On August 7, Union Brig. Gen. William Averell and his males shocked the Confederates and pushed them again towards the South Department of the Potomac River. The third West Virginia Cavalry charged thrice throughout the river and actually made the Confederates run for the hills surrounding the world. Averell captured 4 cannons, greater than 400 males, and a whole lot of hard-to-replace horses. “[T]his affair,” Early claimed, “had a really damaging impact upon my cavalry for the remainder of the [Shenandoah Valley] marketing campaign.”

Though largely Southern in sympathy, Moorefield housed whichever troops have been in native management in the course of the Civil Struggle. The Accomplice McNeill’s Rangers additionally operated within the space. At the moment, historic houses, outlets, and eateries line Moorefield’s quaint Foremost Avenue, which boasts a handful of Civil Struggle Trails indicators inside blocks of one another. A strolling tour of the world consists of not solely Civil Struggle–associated websites, however a number of dwellings that date again to the city’s 18th-century inception, together with the 1786 Higgins Home, owned by Revolutionary Struggle Captain Robert Higgins of the eighth Virginia.

Guests to the world can even take a brief drive to close by Petersburg, W.Va., which homes the well-preserved grime earthworks of Fort Mulligan, constructed in the course of the latter half of 1863 to guard the South Department Valley from Accomplice forces. A cease atop the bluff the place Maple Hill Cemetery rests provides some spectacular views of the mountains that not solely envelop however adorn the tranquil valleys right here as we speak that, throughout America’s biggest battle, have been stuffed with the cacophony of musket and cannon hearth.

Run for the Hills
596 Harness Street

Brig. Gen. John McCausland’s troopers camped on this subject whereas in Moorefield. On August 7, 1864, Brig. Gen. Bradley T. Johnson’s males forded the river and tried to kind a protection right here with McCausland’s cavalry, however they have been outflanked and outgunned. Brig. Gen. William Averell’s troopers chased the retreating Confederates into the encompassing hills.

Presbyterian Church
109 S. Foremost Avenue

The chief of this church, the Rev. William Wilson, and his congregation have been sturdy Accomplice sympathizers. Wilson left city in 1862 to change into a chaplain within the Accomplice Military. Throughout the battle, either side used the church as a hospital. Union troopers stabled their horses inside and burned pews as firewood.

McMechen Home
109 N. Foremost Avenue

Accomplice sympathizer Samuel McMechen owned this 1853 dwelling and its connected retailer on Foremost Avenue. McMechen entertained Accomplice officers right here once they managed Moorefield. When Union forces occupied the city, McMechen left. Maj. Gen. John Frémont briefly made his headquarters right here in Could 1862, and Accomplice Brig. Gen. John McCausland was asleep in an upstairs bed room right here when William Averell’s males shocked McCausland’s cavalry brigade camped within the fields round Moorefield.

Mullin Resort
104 S. Foremost Avenue

In-built 1847, the Mullin Resort was as soon as referred to as the Moorefield Resort Co., and the stockholders included Charles Carter Lee, eldest brother of Robert E. Lee. After the Civil Struggle, it was operated by Captain C.B. Mullin who made it into a preferred hostelry recognized for its meals. Throughout Captain Mullin’s tenure within the 1860s and 1870s, outdated resort registers point out that many males of distinction have been company. The 22-room resort homes the 1847 Mullin Restaurant in addition to the historic society museum.

Cemetery Hill 
192 Olivet Drive

Combating erupted among the many tombstones on September 10, 1863, when Accomplice troopers shocked Union troops camped right here. The Union place was quickly overrun. The Confederates captured 160 troopers, 9 wagons, 46 horses, weapons, and ammunition.

Fort Mulligan 
100 Mulligan Drive, Petersburg

Constructed in 1863 beneath the command of Union Colonel James Mulligan, Fort Mulligan was constructed to guard strategically situated Petersburg. The fort helped defend the necessary highway community, stop Accomplice raids on the B&O Railroad and supported U.S. efforts within the new state of West Virginia. On January 31, 1864, Jubal Early’s males shelled the fort earlier than discovering that it had been evacuated. At the moment the 5.5-acre park provides interpretive indicators, copy cannons, and gorgeous vistas of the South Department of the Potomac River.

The Grove Cafe & Bakery
26 Virginia Avenue, Petersburg

Dr. Thomas Grove constructed a residence right here in 1854 and shortly after constructed this small cottage for use as his workplace and caretaker’s quarters. His property was used as a hospital in the course of the Civil Struggle, though he maintained strict neutrality. At the moment it serves up tasty treats, teas, coffees, and a West Virginia favourite: The Pepperoni Roll!

This text first appeared in America’s Civil Struggle journal

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