On September 22, 1864, during the Battle of Fisher's Hill, Union Gen. James W. McMillan's brigade surged past this point as his troops assaulted the Confederate line on the high ground. The battle followed Union Gen. Philip H. Sheridan's September 19 victory over Confederate Gen. Jubal Early at the Third Battle of Winchester, after which Early withdrew to Fisher's Hill and Sheridan pursued, placing his troops on nearby heights. Confederate Capt. Samuel D. Buck recalled Fisher's Hill as "a natural fortification," but said the army was too small to man it, and only dismounted cavalry held Early's weaker left flank. Sheridan sent Gen. George Crook's Army of West Virginia on a march around that flank, and at 4 P.M. on September 22 Crook's men charged down the mountainside and routed the Confederate cavalry. Sheridan then ordered the rest of his force forward, with the Union center advancing up the slope. After vicious fighting, the Confederate line collapsed and the southerners withdrew into the Blue Ridge Mountains, leaving the Valley open to the destruction of "The Burning." About 40,000 soldiers fought at Fisher's Hill, and five Union soldiers received the Medal of Honor for their actions there: Pvt. James Connors of the 43rd New York, Pvt. John Creed of the 23rd Illinois, Pvt. George G. Moore of the 11th West Virginia, Sgt. Sylvester D. Rhodes of the 61st Pennsylvania, and Lt. Edward N. Whittier of the 5th Battery Maine Light Artillery. Whittier, age 24, rode with the attacking Union columns, captured Confederate cannons, and turned them on the former users.

Photo: Mike McKeown

Toms Brook, Virginia · USA