Martin Bear's Travels: Front Royal

Ms. Edwards purchased an audio tour for Front Royal. The audio tape was created by Metro Production in connections with Front Royal Virginia, Virginia Civil War Trails, and Shenandoah at War. There were 10 stops on the tour. Most of the stops were in places where the present town had taken over historical ground. There were markers at each of these sites describing what occurred at each location.

The battle took place on May 23, 1862.
Union Commander was Col. John R. Kenly
Confederate Commander was Stonewall Jackson
Union Forces - 1,063 Union Loses - 904
Confederate Forces - 3000 Union Loses - 56
This was considered a win for the Confederacy
This was part of Jackson's Valley Campaign. (1st Kernstwon, McDowell, Princeton Courthouse, Front Royal, 1st Winchester, Cross Keys and Port Repubic)

First Stop: Asbury Chapel.

This is were the Confederate advance halted. They were looking for a different route into town.
It is also the spot we General Jackson decided to sent the 1st Maryland into battle. The reason they were chosen to go in first was because they would be facing the 1st Maryland on the Federal side. This was going to be a battle of "brother against brother" in the true sense of the word.

NOTE: From Asbury Chapel I traveled on a road called Rocky Lane. This road lived up to its name. While driving down this road I thought about how much Ms. Edwards father would enjoy driving down this road. He seems to enjoy finding these kinds of roads and here we are following an audio cd. The road was two ways. In some areas I don't see how it would have been possible.

Second Stop: Belle Boyd

For this location I had to stop at the grounds of a church. At this location was a marker that described what occurred at this site.
General Jackson stopped his troops in this location to put them into battle formation.
It was here that Belle Boyd gave a report on the Union troops numbers and activities. She encouraged an immediate attack on Front Royal.

Stop Three: Prospect Hill Cementary

Confederate artillery was set up too late to be able to help in the battle.
The cannons at this location had no role in the Battle of Front Royal
Below is a picture of a monument for the Confederate dead as well as graves of Confederate soldiers.

Stop Four: The Courthouse

Fighting happened here street by street and building by building.
This battle was fought by troops on both sides from the state of Maryland.

Stop Five: Bel Air

The home of Lucy Buck's family.
She kept a journal that helped historians determine what occurred at this battle.

Stop Six: Rose Hill

At this location Col. Kenly set up his defensive location.
On Rose Hill was a house owned by Widow Richardson and her three daughters. Her son, William had been wounded at Williamsburg.
It was Sue Richardson's diary that helped historians determine what occurred at this sight.

Stop Seven: Richardson's Hill

Union forces made their defensive stand against the advancing Confederates.
Kenly made an effort to hold back Jackson's forces.
He was trying to give General Banks time to withdraw troops from Strasburg.

Stop Eight: The Bridges

At this stop there wasn't much to see. Ms. Edwards took a picture of me sitting on the bench by the marker. I think that the trees grew up to far for you to see what the intended focus of this location was. I think I make a good substitute though.
At this location Jackson's troops arrived. They saw smoke and fire coming from the bridges that were burning.
The Confederates were slowed down.