Civil War in Harrisonburg-Rockingham County
Follow the Trail to History
Within the Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg and Rockingham County played a significant role during the war. Harrisonburg was at the cross roads of two major highways, the Valley Turnpike (modern-day Rt. 11) and the Rockingham Turnpike (modern-day Rt. 33), and just 50 miles North of a huge Confederate rail and supply center in Staunton. At the time, Rockingham County was one of the most prosperous agricultural counties in the nation. The region including, Harrisonburg and Rockingham County was known as the "The bread-basket of the Confederacy" resulting in a prime location for the struggle between Union and Confederate forces.
The Valley also set the stage for two important campaigns during the War Between the States; Confederate Gen. Thomas J."Stonewall" Jackson's famous 1862 Valley Campaign, which earned him a permanent place in military history, and in 1864 when Union Gen. Philip H. Sheridan ordered "The Burning" of the Valley.Harrisonburg and Rockingham County are home to 23 Civil War Sites, complete with the Civil War Trails markers.
Visit the Harrisonburg Rockingham Civil War Orientation Center for more information.
Turner Ashby Monument
1164 Turner Ashby Lane
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
One mile southeast of the I-81exit 245 intersection, take a left off Port Republic Road at Neff Road. From Neff Road take the next left onto Turner Ashby Lane. Gen. Turner Ashby, in command of Jackson's cavalry, was mortally wounded at this site now marked with a monument and a small park. His death, June 6, 1862, immediately preceded the battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic. Walk to two Civil War interpretive signs about the engagement at "Chestnut Ridge" in 1862 where T.A. was killed, and another one depicting "The Battle of Harrisonburg in 1862" on the same day. The Turner Ashby Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy No. 162 holds annual memorial observance of the death of Confederate Gen. Turner Ashby in June each year. Visitors and Group Tours are welcome.
Court Square & Springhouse
74 Court Square
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Trails sign on Court Square in historic downtown Harrisonburg at the corner of North Main Street - The courthouse grounds were used as a prison pen following the first battle of Winchester in 1862. Soldiers and townsfolk quenched their thirst at the springhouse in the southwestern corner. Elder John Kline was a Dunker (Brethren) minister farmer of the Broadway area who was imprisoned in the second floor jury room of the Rockingham County Courthouse April 5, 1862. During Elder Kline's 13 day stay in the courthouse, he wrote the refrain to what has been known as "The Prisoner's Song":
"We'll all go home as soon as freed,
A holy life with God to lead,
Yes, we'll go home, and that to spend
Our days in peace till life shall end."
Hardesty-Higgins House (Harrisonburg Tourism & Visitor Services)
Harrisonburg Civil War Orientation Center
212 South Main Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Trails sign on North Main Street between Bruce and Franklin streets in Harrisonburg - Home to the town's first mayor, Isaac Hardesty, this house was used briefly as headquarters for Union Gen. Nathaniel Banks as he tried to corner Stonewall Jackson in 1862. Located within the Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center visitors will find The Valley Turnpike Museum and the Harrisonburg Rockingham Civil War Orientation Center. The Valley Turnpike Museum highlights the history of the Rt. 11 corridor as the avenue of invasion and events surrounding 1862 Harrisonburg and engine 199, recreated in a scale model. The Civil War Orientation Center offers visitors the stories of individuals, battles and campaigns through film and interpretation.
Warren-Sipe House (Now Virginia Quilt Museum)
301 South Main Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Trails sign on North Main Street between Franklin Street and Ash Tree Lane in Harrisonburg - in front of the Virginia Quilt Museum. This was the home of Edward T.H. Warren, a Harrisonburg attorney, who went to war early and fought in most of the famous battles in the East until he was killed at the Wilderness in 1864. The structure was used as a hospital following the battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Today, the historic home is open to the public as the Virginia Quilt Museum with a gallery of Civil War era quilts and the stories of the women who made them. The museum also highlights the importance of quilting in society with contemporary and historic exhibits throughout the year.
We invite you to pick up more information on the American Civil War and visit the Harrisonburg Rockingham Orientation Center, located in the Hardesty-Higgins House. We have several publications, including the Rockingham at War Driving Tour and the newly released Shenandoah at War Visitor Guide available in the visitor's center that will allow you to experience the region's Civil War history.
Local Genealogy Research Guide
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society- 540-879-2616
Eastern Mennonite University Hartzler Library- 540-432-4178
Massanutten Regional Library- 540-434-4475
Rockingham County Circuit Court- 540-564-3390
James Madison University Carrier Library- 540-568-6150
The unique history of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County includes the settlement of a large group of Mennonite and Brethren-whose religious beliefs and role during the war are highlighted at Crossroads: Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center. Primarily Union sympathizers, several events during the war, such as Sheridan's Burning did not favor the southern Unionists; Valley Mennonite and Brethren lost their farms to fire as well. The thriving Valley town of Harrisonburg, Virginia experienced conflict and bravery, challenges to hearth and home, God and Country.
New Market Battlefield State Historical Park and Hall of Valor Civil War Museum
Lincoln Society of Virginia
Longs Chapel Preservation Society