BACKGROUND: Starting in 1926 the Commonwealth of Virginia initiated a program of installing highway markers to designate points of interest for travellers to the Old Dominion. Included are numerous markers designating Civil War battles, individuals, as well as other points of interest regarding the War Between the States. With over 60% of all Civil War battles taking place here, Virginia had little difficulty installing road markers for those interested in taking the time to pull over their cars, get out, read the markers and perhaps ponder a few moments of what they have just read and what it meant.

As a service to those of similar interest, we have created a complete list of all markers currently present in Virginia (as well as those now lost to the ages) that we are aware of that were erected by the Commonwealth of Virginia. If you know of any we may be missing, please contact us.

In addition, we hope to compile a list of other Civil War points of interests within Virginia that will include other Civil War sites, cemeteries, museums, etc., along with the addresses, telephone numbers and person to contact. We ask your assistance if you are aware of worthy Civil War points of interest to include here. Please contact us.

We have broken down these markers into four sections of the state
1) Shenandoah Valley and (south)western part of the state
2) Northern Virginia
3) Central Virginia, including Richmond and the Piedmont region
4) Tidewater Virginia, including southeast and southcentral Virginia.

Originally, all landmarkers were assigned a letter of the alphabet and a number; the letter designating the highway (early part of the century roads were given letters not route numbers). Today, many markers are no longer in existence and if we are aware, we will notify you of such. (DESIGNATED by the abbreviation N/A and printed in blue). However, just because the marker is no longer present, remember that history still abounds at these sites (if not developed) and you may have the opportunity to stop at places the general public is no longer aware of anymore. All locations are approximate since many car odometers will vary in calibration. Where ever possible, the markers are not being presented in numerical order but by their proximity to their location to others on the same highway. This should assist you to locate the markers on the road you will be currently travelling.

In addition, we found the following book compiled by for the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission titled, "A Guidebook to Virginia's Historical Markers," ISBN 0-8139-1047-1, and ISBN 0-8139-1491-4 1994 update to be of immense help in creating this website. If anyone finds any errors or missing markers, etc., please contact us.

Thank you for visiting our website and please E-mail us your comments.

Here stood the birthplace of Henry Alexander Wise (1806 to 1876), Governor of Virginia (1856 to 1860) and General in the Confederate States Army. A talented orator and debator in an age of great orators, Wise was elected to six terms in Congress. He served as adelegate at the Virginia Conventions of 1850 and 1861, and as United States Minister to Brazil (1844 to 1847). (Business Route 13 at Accomac).

Two miles west is Onancock, founded in 1680. A courthouse was thenbuilt and used for a few years. Militia barracks were there in the Revolution. From Onancock, Colonel John Cropper went to the aid of Commodore Whaley in the last naval action of the Revolution, November 30, 1782. Nearby is Onley, the home of Henry A. Wise, Governor of Virginia, 1856 to 1860. (Route 13, .2 mile south ofAccomac).

There are no Civil War Historical Road Markers located in Northampton County.

Sally Tompkins, born at Poplar Grove, 3 miles south of here, was the only woman granted a commission in the Army of the Confederacy. "Captain Sally" founded and directed Robertson Hospital in Richmond where over 1,300 Confederate soldiers were cared for between 1861 and 1865. Her grave and monument are located in Christ Church Cemetery on Williams Wharf Road two miles to the south (Route 611, 2 miles west of Mathews Court House).

The Courthouse was built in 1766. The debtor's prison is also old.A skirmish occurred near here between Confederate and Union Cavalry, January 29, 1864. (Route 17, at Gloucester).

Known first as Tyndall's Point. The Colonists built a fort here in1667. In 1676, Bacon led his rebels across the river here. Tarleton and Dundas occupied the place in October, 1781, in the siege of Yorktown. Cornwallis planned to break through the blockade here, but a storm kept him from crossing the river. The point was fortified by the Confederates in 1861 and occupied by Union troopsin 1862. (Route 17, at Gloucester Point).

There are no Civil War Historical Road Markers located in the city of Williamsburg.

In the Peninsula Campaign, General Joseph E. Johnston's Confederate Army marched over this road toward Richmond, May 4^th to the 6^th, 1862. Major General George Brinton McClellan's Union Army followed May 6^th to the 10^th, 1862. (Route 60, located at the northwest entrance of the city of Williamsburg). [N/A]

To the east of the road here, centering at Fort Magruder, was fought the Battle of Williamsburg on May 5, 1862. The Union General George Brinton McClellan was pursuing General Joseph Eggleston Johnston's retiring Confederate Army, the rearguard of which was commanded by General James Longstreet. Johnston ordered Longstreet to hold off McClellan's attacking forces until the Confederate wagon trains, bogged down in mud, were out of danger. This mission was accomplished and Johnston continued his retirement. (Route 60,.3 mile southeast of Williamsburg).

Here is a redoubt in the line of the Confederate defenses, built across the James and York Peninsula in 1861 to 1862 by General John Bankhead Magruder, C.S.A. (Route 60, .3 mile southeast of Williamsburg).

A mile north of this road is Whitaker's House, the headquarters of General William Farrar Smith, during the Battle of Williamsburg, May 5, 1862. (Route 60, 1.4 mile southeast of Williamsburg).

Settlement began here in 1636, when John Chisman patented 600 acres on Crab Neck, a peninsula bounded by Chisman Creek and Back Creek, a tributary of the York River. The neck then lay in Charles River Parish in York County, one of the eight original shires created in 1634. A Confederate fortification stood near the narrowest part of the neck in 1862, and during the Civil War Union troops destroyed Zion Methodist Church here. Crab Neck post office was established in 1889; its name was changed to Seaford in 1910. (Route 622, at Seaford).

This area, locally known as Dandy, was part of the land granted to John Chew, July 6^th, 1836, and was sold by his heirs to James Goodwin, a member of the House of Burgesses from Jamestown, August 27^th, 1668. The area was strategically important both to British General Charles Cornwallis and to Confederate General John B. Magruder, who erected earth redoubts at the heads of several creeks on Goodwin Neck. (Route 173, 3.5 miles east of Route 17).

These earthworks were part of General John B. Magruder's second line of defense. At this site on April 5^th, 1862, Confederate General Lafayette McLaw's [sic] four companies of the 10^th Georgia with Captain Joseph B. Cosnahan's two batteries stopped the advance of Union General William F. "Baldy" Smith's two divisions of the Fourth Army Corps and Captain Charles C. Wheeler's six batteries. Several skirmishes and engagements occurred here between April 5^th and May 4^th, 1862, at which time the Confederate forces abandoned the earthworks and withdrew to Williamsburg. (Route 60, .2 miles east of Route 105).

Five miles east was Big Bethel Church. On June 10, 1861, General Ebenezer W. Peirce attacked a numerically inferior Confederate force under Colonel John B. Magruder, C.S.A. The assault was repulsed, and Pierce withdrew to Hampton and Newport News. (At the intersections of Routes 60 and 306).

In Hampton Roads, southward and a mile or two offshore, the Virginia (Merrimac), and the Monitor fought their engagement, March 9, 1862. The day before the Virginia destroyed the Cumberland and the Congress, wooden ships of theUnion Navy. (located at Chesapeake Avenue between La Salle and East Avenues).

To the west, on the grounds of Hampton Institute, is the tree under which Mrs. Mary Peake, a Freedwoman, taught children of former slaves in 1861. Nearby stood the Butler School, a free school established in 1863 for colored children. (located at the intersection of the ramp to Interstate 64 at East Tyler Street).

The fort was begun in 1819 and named for President James Monroe. It remained in possession of the Union forces, 1861 through 1865, and from it as a base General George B. McClellan began the Peninsular Campaign, 1862. Jefferson Davis was imprisoned here, 1865 to 1867.(Route 60, at Fortress Monroe, near Old Point Comfort).

In this casement, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, was confined, May 22^nd through October 2^nd, 1865. As his health suffered in the casement, he was removed to Carroll Hall in the fortress, where he remained from October, 1865, until May, 1867, when he was released on bail. He was never brought to trial. (Route 60, at Fortress Monroe, near Old Point Comfort).

Fort Monroe was the site of Major General Benjamin F. Butler's decision in 1861 to accept escaping slaves as "contrabands of war." Thousands of former slaves who cast off their bondage and sought sanctuary here called this "The Freedom Fort." The First and Second Regiments of U.S. Colored Cavalry and Battery B, Second U.S. Colored Light Artillery, were raised here during the Civil War. In 1865, the Bureau of Freedmen and Refugees ("Freedmen's Bureau") established its headquarters here. (Ruckman Road, at Fortress Monroe).

In this vicinity was situated Camp Hamilton, a large camp of Union troops which was first occupied in May, 1861. A great military hospital, Hampton Hospital, was located here. (City of Hampton, located at the corner of College Place and East Queen Street).

Near here Major General John Ellis Wool, on May 10, 1862, landed with 6,000 Union troops. President Abraham Lincoln, Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, and Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, watched the movement from a ship in Hampton Roads. As the Confederate troops had withdrawn, Wool marched to Norfolk, which was surrendered to him by Major W. W. Lamb that afternoon. (located at the city of Norfolk at West Ocean View Avenue near Mason Creek Road).

Confederate batteries at Seawall's Point were located near here. These batteries mounting twenty 32 pounders, three 42 pounder cannonades, and six 9 inch rifles, successfully repulsed an attack by the Federal fleet, May 19, 1861. This was the first engagement fought in Virginia in the War between the States. These batteries, under fire many times, were never silenced or captured. They were abandoned when Norfolk was evacuated on May 10, 1862. (located within the confines of the Norfolk Naval Base).

Half a mile west is the site of the Confederate Camp Talbot.Georgia and Virginia troops defending Norfolk were encamped therefrom April, 1861, until the evacuation of the city of Norfolk, May10, 1862. (located at the corner of Granby Street and the Oak GroveRoad).

On Chapel Street, south of this point, stood the home of FatherAbram J. Ryan, beloved poet of the Confederacy:

Flown in the City of Norfolk was unfurled from a house top about a block and a half east of this corner, April 2, 1861, two weeks before the secession of Virginia from the Union. (located on Market Street at the intersection with Monticello Avenue).

Originally French's, stood on this site. In it were entertained Prince Louis Napoleon (later Napoleon III) of France, 1837; General Winfield Scott, 1858; G.P.R. James, 1863; and President Tyler,1859. It was later known as the Purcell House. (located at St. Paul's Boulevard, opposite the present day Courts Building).

This house was built in 1807 as the country residence of Dr. William B. Selden. During the Federal occupation of Norfolk (1862through 1865) it was seized and occupied as the headquarters of the Federal Commanders. On his last visit to Norfolk, April, 1870,General Robert E. Lee was the guest here of his friend, Dr. William Selden, Surgeon, C.S.A. (located at the Southeast Corner of Freemason and Botetourt Streets).

Across Hampton Roads from this point the C.S.S. Virginia (Merrimac) and the U.S.S. Monitor fought, March 9,1862. This was the first combat between iron clad vessels in the history of the world. After a severe engagement in which eachvessel failed to pierce the other's armor, the Monitor retired. On the previous day, the Virginia had destroyed the U.S.S. Congress and the U.S.S. Cumberland, and dispersed the remainder of the Federal fleet. (located at West Ocean View Avenue between the Thirteenth View and the Fourteenth View Streets).

This house was built about 1791 and bought in 1803 by Richard Taylor, whose descendants still occupy it (as of 1931). It was the home of Richard Lucien Page, Lieutenant U.S.N., Captain, C.S.N., Brigardier General, C.S.A.; of William Conway Whittle, Jr., executive officer of the C.S.S. Shenandoah; the birthplace of Walter H. Taylor, Lieutenant Colonel, C.S.A., who served on Robert E. Lee's staff for the whole period of the war. (located at the intersection of 227 Freemason Street, at the southeast corner of Duke Street).

There are no Civil War Historical Road Markers located in the city of Virginia Beach.

This island in the Elizabeth River is about four miles northeast. British forces moving on Norfolk attacked American fortifications there June 22, 1813, but were repulsed. The Confederate Ironclad" Virginia" (Merrimac) was destroyed by her crew there on May11, 1862. (Route 17, west of the Churchland bypass).

The Elizabeth River, explored by Captain John Smith in 1608, was named for Princess Elizabeth. Shipbuilding activity began in 1620when John Wood, a shipbuilder, requested a land grant. Many historic ships were built at the naval shipyard here, including the U.S.S. Delaware, first ship dry docked in America, and the C.S.S. Virginia (ex Merrimac), first ironclad to engage in battle. (located in Portsmouth at the corner of Crawford Parkwayand Court Street).

The town was occupied by Union troops from May, 1862, until the end of the Civil War. Confederate forces under General James Longstreet unsuccessfully besieged Suffolk, from April 11th, to May 3rd, 1863,when they withdrew across the James River on Robert E. Lee's order. (Route 460, .5 mile west of the city limits of Suffolk).

Across the road here ran the main line of the Confederate works, built by General James Longstreet besieging Suffolk, April, 1863.He abandoned the siege and rejoined Robert E. Lee at Fredericksburg. (Route 10, 1.5 miles northwest of the city limits of Suffolk).

A Colonial Church is here. In July, 1781, the British cavalryman, Tarleton, was at Chuckatuck. On May 3, 1863, a skirmish took place here between Union and Confederate forces as General James Longstreet withdrew from the siege of Suffolk. (Route 10, 9.2 miles northwest of the city limits of Suffolk).

The "Southampton Cavalry" was formed just north of this site inMay, 1861 at what was the Gillette Farm, Cedar Lawn. Joseph E. Gillette was elected captain. The company eventually became Company A of the 13th Virginia Cavalry. Gillette was promoted to Major in the Regiment. He died here November 1, 1863, after being wounded at Brandy Station. The Company served gallantly until the end of theCivil War as part of General J.E.B. Stuart's Cavalry in GeneralRobert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. (Route 58, .9 mile west of Franklin).

Three and a half miles southwest, at Monroe, Major General William Mahone was born, December 1, 1826. He served brilliantly in the Confederate army throughout the war, and won the title, "Hero of the Crater," at Petersburg, July 30, 1864. He was United States Senator, 1881 to 1887. Mahone died in Washington, DC, on October 8,1895. (Route 25, 2.2 miles south of Franklin).

General George H. Thomas, "The Rock of Chickamauga," was born on July 31, 1816, about five miles to the south. A graduate of West Point, Thomas sided with the Union during the Civil War and won distinction in the campaigns in Tennessee. (Route 58, 1.7 miles southeast of Courtland).

On the night of August 21^st-22^nd, Nat Turner, a slave preacher, began an insurrection some seven miles west with a band that grew to about 70. They moved northeast toward Southampton County seat, Jerusalem (now Courtland), killing about 60 whites. After two days militiamen and armed civilians quelled the revolt. Turner was captured on October 30^th, tried and convicted, and hanged on November 11^th, some 30 blacks were hanged or expelled from Virginia. In response to the revolt, the General Assembly passed harsher slave laws and censored abolitionists. (Route 35, near Route 666).

The town was established in 1752. The Masonic Hall was built in1753. Benedict Arnold occupied the town, January 15, 1781. At Cherry Grove Landing nearby, skirmishing took place on April 13ththrough the 15th, 1864, and the Confederates made a daring capture of a Union vessel on December 5, 1864. (Route 10, at Smithfield).

About one mile south, on the Pagan Creek, stands a mill which was in operation by 1650. Once known as "Green's Mill," it was purchased by Charles Wrenn in 1821. A War between the States skirmish was fought there, April 14, 1864. (Route 10, 4.5 miles west of Smithfield).

Confederate General James Longstreet crossed the river here and advanced on Suffolk, held by a Union garrison, April 10, 1863. The siege of Suffolk followed. (Route 460, 6.3 miles northwest of Windsor).

Incorporated as a town in 1876, Franklin began as a Southampton County village in the 1830's. In October, 1862, during the Civil War, Union gunboats on the Blackwater River shelled the town and the railroad station. Several skirmishes occurred nearby in 1862 and 1863. A major fire destroyed 43 buildings in the town on February 26^th, 1881. The Camp Brothers' lumber mill and later their paper mill, as well as the peanut industry, helped Franklin prosper in this century. Franklin became an incorporated city in 1960. (located in Franklin, at the intersection of Main Street and South Street).

One mile southwest, on September 16, 1864, General Wade Hampton's Confederate Cavalry herded about 2,500 head of captured cattle across the Nottoway River, while two miles northwest, at Belsches' Mill, Federal troops sent to recapture the cattle were intercepted and repulsed. (Intersection of Routes 35 and 626).

In 1864, supplies for Robert E. Lee's Army were carted from the Weldon Railroad here to Petersburg. Here the Union Cavalryman, General James Harrison Wilson, returning from his raid to Burkeville, fought an action with Lee's Cavalry, June 28th and29th, 1864. The place was raided by the Union Cavalryman, BrigadierGeneral David McMurtrie Gregg, on December 1, 1864. (Route 301, atStony Creek).

Near here the British Cavalryman, Simcoe, crossed the river going south to join Cornwallis, May 11, 1781. Here Cornwallis, moving northward, was met by Benedict Arnold, coming from Petersburg, May19, 1781. Here, the Union Major General James Harrison Wilson crossed the river, June 28, 1864, and recrossed, June 29, 1864.(Route 301, 3.4 miles south of Stony Creek). [N/A]

Half a mile south is Jarratt's Station, a depot on the old Weldon Railroad. The Union Cavalryman, General August V. Kautz, acting with Benjamin Butler's Army of the James, burned the place, May 8,1864. The Union General James Harrison Wilson, retreating from Reams Station, camped here, June 29, 1864. Warren on his raid to destroy the Weldon Railroad camped here in December, 1864. (Route 301, at Jarratt). [N/A]

Here the highway merges with the Halifax Road, the ancient road from Petersburg to Halifax, North Carolina. Over this road, Cornwallis marched in May, 1781, from Halifax to Petersburg in his invasion of Virginia. Over this road the Confederates hauled supplies during the siege of Petersburg, 1864 to 1865, and over itparts of the Union and Confederate Armies constantly passed. (Route 301, at Jarratt).

The ordinary that stood on this site catered to travelers on the north-south stage road as early as 1750. During the American Revolution local warehouses were burned by British Colonel Tarleton, and legend says that it was from that occurrence that the ordinary derived its name. During the Civil War, the post office (1832-1964) and inn were spared when a Union officer recognized the inn's owner, Dr. George M. Raney, as being a former classmate at the University of Pennsylvania. (Route 712, 4.2 miles north of Route 58).

There are no Civil War Historical Road Markers located in Lunenburg County.

There are no Civil War Historical Road Markers located in Mecklenburg County.

The railroad bridge over the Staunton River, nine miles west, was held by a body of Confederate reserves and citizens from Halifax, Charlotte and Mecklenburg counties against Union cavalry raiding to destroy railroads, June 25, 1864. When the Unionists attempted to burn the bridge, they were repulsed. Meanwhile, Confederate cavalry attacked from the rear. Thereupon, the raiders retreated to Grant's Army at Petersburg. (Route 15, at Wyliesburg).

Here lived Rev. Charles A. Dresser, rector of Antrim Parish and builder of St. Mark's Church, 1828. Dresser left this parish in1835 for Peoria, Illinois, whence he moved to Springfield. There he married Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd, November 4, 1842. (Route 501,2 miles south of Halifax).

The first railroad train passed this station in 1854. In 1864, the station building and the Confederate Commissary here were burned by the Union General David Hunter. This was the extreme eastern limit of Hunter's raid. (Route 460, at Concord).

There are no Civil War Historical Road Markers located in Pittsylvania County.

This, the former home of Major W. T. Sutherlin, is regarded as the last capitol of the Confederacy, April 3rd to April 10th, 1865. Here President Jefferson Davis stayed and here was held the last full cabinet meeting. Breckinridge along being absent. The establishment of the Confederate government in Danville ended when the news of Robert E. Lee's surrender arrived on April 10, 1865.(located at the city of Danville, at the intersection of Main Street with Sutherlin Avenue).

Constructed in 1855 as a tobacco factory by Major William T. Sutherlin, this renovated structure housed Union prisoners during the Civil War, 1861-1865. It was one of six Danville Confederate prisons in which as many as 7,000 Union soldiers were confined. (Located at the city of Danville, at the intersection of Loyal Street with Lynn Street).