Battlefields by Markers

Listed here are blog entries, pages, and links to marker lists which detail the historical markers located on Civil War battlefields.  For the most part these are logical groupings based on either geographic proximity, locations on tour routes/trails, or military formations.

The intent is to offer “virtual tours” of the battlefield by way of historical markers.  A “tour” may cover an entire battle (where the number of markers is small) or just a segment of a larger battlefield.  Each tour set offers between three to thirty marker entries.  The individual marker entries vary in quality, however.  The best entries offer not only a photo and text on the marker, but also subject and area photographs in order to reinforce the interpretation.  The entries also offer links to more information about the events discussed on the marker.

These marker entries are the products of the time and toil of many different contributors at Historical Marker Database.  If you like what you see there, please feel free to help out.  If you have corrections to the content, better photos, or more detailed explanations, those are all welcome additions.  Simply follow the instructions on the web site to add comments, photos, or links.

Bit of word on the format.  For now the list presented here is in chronological order.  That may change and different sorts may be added later.  The evolution of a “tour” progresses form a simple related set of markers (with corresponding map view), usually up to a blog entry reviewing the tour or trail, and then finally to a full page on the battlefield.

The listing is a work in progress and will be updated as time permits.

1861:

First Manassas – Set of trails related by markers for First Manassas.

Ball’s Bluff, Leesburg, Virgina (map) – On October 20, 1861 a Federal reconnaissance triggered a chain of events leading to a small battle with many lasting effects.

1862:

Kernstown, Virginia (map) – The majority of this set cover the March 23, 1862 battle of Kernstown.  However a few reference the Second Kernstown fought on July 23, 1863.  The markers cover the Pritchard Farm and Rose Hill sites.

Front Royal, Virginia (map) – A running battle fought on May 23, 1862 as part of Jackson’s Valley Campaign.

Fort Mayfield, Manassas, Virginia (map) – Never tested directly, Fort Mayfield was part of the fortifications which sprang up around the railroad junction at Manassas following the 1861 battle there.

Cedar Mountain, Virginia (map) – On August 9, 1862,  Jackson started what would become the Second Manassas Campaign at this battle.  This set includes interpretive markers at the Battlefield site and several Virginia State markers outside the battlefield.  Five monuments from the Culpeper National Cemetery are included, referencing Federal activity at the battle.

Second Manassas Campaign – Placeholder.

Chantilly or Ox Hill, Virginia (map) – Battlefield site overtaken by urban expansion.

Harpers Ferry – Includes marker listings and referenced trip report blog entries.

Antietam – A page listing all the marker relations for the Antietam campaign.  It is possible to follow the campaign from the Chantilly Battlefield to Shepherdstown by way of markers.  In addition to geographical groupings, sets related by divisional formations are offered.

1863:

Chancellorsville – A page with links to ten virtual tour sets.  Chancellorsville’s battlefield overlaps battles at Fredericksburg and the Wilderness.  While spread out enough to require driving between tour stops, the park offers four great walking trails.  In addition the CWPT First Day battlefield is worth a stop.

Brandy Station, Virginia (map) - tour includes several markers for the 1864 Army of the Potomac Winter Encampment.

Battle of Hanover, Pennsylvania (map) (blog) – Excellent walking tour of downtown Hanover.  The battle was a cavalry contest during the Gettysburg Campaign.

Gettysburg Campaign – (In Progress) – Page detailing marker and monuments related to the Gettysburg Campaign and Battle.

Fort Dickerson, Tennessee (map) – A set of markers interpreting this fortification within the defenses of Knoxville, Tennessee.  The fort was tested in November-December 1863 by Confederates under General James Longstreet.  The locations of interpretive markers for this site are estimate, pending further site visits.

Mine Run, Virginia (map) – Four markers which discuss the closing campaign in the Eastern Theater for 1863.

1864:

Wilderness Campaign – Five virtual tours cover the opening battle of the Overland Campaign.

Spotsylvania Campaign – Seven virtual tours organized by stops on the park route.

Trevilian Station, Virginia (map) – Set in the rural central Virginia countryside, this battlefield is strictly a driving tour.

Lynchburg, Virginia (map) – Eleven entries, mostly from the Civil War Trails series, provide interpretation for this June 1864 battle.

Monocacy, Maryland (map) – Beyond the driving tour, Monocacy Battlefield offers three walking trails.  While pressured by development, the field is a crown jewel of preservation efforts!

Peach Tree Creek, Georgia (map)

Third Winchester, Virginia  – Virtual tour for the CWPT battlefield site (map).  Driving tour of markers at sites outside the CWPT tract (map)

Fishers Hill, Virginia (map) – September 22, 1864.  Follow up victory for Sheridan over Early in the 1864 Valley Campaign.  This set includes markers from the CWPT Fishers Hill site.

Cedar Creek, Virginia (map) – October 19, 1864.  The Cedar Creek battlefield is under pressure from nearby mining projects.  This set of related markers follows the driving tour guide of the battlefield.

Fort McAllister, Georgia (map) – In addition to markers concerned with the December 1864 battle, the tour includes markers which reference the 1863 naval actions at the fort.

1865:

River’s Bridge, South Carolina (map) – A set of markers near Ehrhardt, South Carolina, at the River’s Bridge State Park which interpret this relatively small battle.  Some have called the action the only major resistance to Sherman’s march through South Carolina.

Other topics of note:

Potomac River Crossings.

Blue Ridge Mountain Passes.

The Escape, Pursuit, and Capture of John Wilkes Booth (map) – A series of markers from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia which detail the story of Booth’s attempt to escape following the assassination of President Lincoln.