Shenandoah Valley Day 2

I started this day off with a trip over Swiftrun Gap heading east to the little settlement of McMullen, Va.  My wifes family founded the town and one John McMullan (changed spelling to a letter a) was a revolutionary soldier and is purported to be the tailor that made George Washington's uniform.  (A nice story anyway, whether true or not)

On road to Louray following Ewell's route, looking across valley at Massanuten mountain:

Valley farms and dairies:

The map on this marker shows the way I followed to Louray.  I then backtracked across to the New Market battlefield,

Ahh...the peaceful Shenandoah River:

New Market Battlefield

"Send in the boys"

This is a "must see" for anyone that travels this area.  Nice museum area and a Cadet from VMI gives a guided tour of the battlefield.

Life sized figures:

Out behind the museum to the battle ground tracing the route of the Cadets.  Held in the rear in relative safety they were finally ordered forward to this barn and fence line.  The hill in the distance was the Federal position:

As they passed through this area they took their first casualties.  Once they reach the gate and fence it is open ground and uphill to the Federal position:

This house is much like it was back then:

The objective is an artillery section near the lone tree across this open field which was muddy at the time of the battle:

Charge!

Not a place to hide:

From the artillery I turned left and went over to the edge of the battlefield which was a cliff and stream down below.  Once again you can see "the breadbasket of the South":

This was a neat tale I came across at the Forest Ranger station on top of the pass between New Market and Luray:

Page Valley:

White House:

The small house on the left:

Battle of Front Royal

Approach to Winchester:

I didn't take any pictures in Winchester.  I was very disappointed with the lack of any attemp at major preservation there.

On to Harpers Ferry:

Steps carved into hill from early 1800's:

Bolivar Heights:

If I remember correctly this picture is from Bolivar Heights looking towards Harpers Ferry.  The Potomac is visible in the center with Maryland Heights to the left and Loudoun Heights to the right: