The Bridges

Flanked out of his position on Richardson's Hill, Union Col. John R. Kenly hurried his command north to the bridges spanning the forks of the Shenandoah River. At the South Fork stood the Front Royal Turnpike Bridge, with the Manassas Gap Railroad bridge just east, and another bridge crossed the North Fork. As the Federals crossed, the 1st Maryland Infantry (CSA) pressed the Union rear and Louisianans attacked the flanks. Kenly's troops burned their tents and supplies, as well as his headquarters at the Vannort house to the west, and he ordered the bridges burned to thwart Confederate pursuit. He also deployed the 5th New York Cavalry and his cannons on Guard Hill across the forks to protect his retreat route. The attempt to burn the bridges failed when Louisianans led by Gen. Richard Taylor charged into the flames to beat them out. The North Fork Bridge was damaged enough, however, that it and cannon and musket fire from Guard Hill slowed the Confederate crossing. The Federal advantage disappeared when Lt. Col. Thomas S. Flournoy's 6th Virginia Cavalry swam the rain-swollen river and formed for the pursuit. Although the Confederates succeeded in putting out the flames on the bridges over the North and South Forks, Sgt. William Taylor of Co. H, 1st Maryland Infantry (USA), was painfully wounded while single-handedly destroying enough of the North Fork Bridge that the Southerners could not use it, and on Aug. 2, 1897, he received the Medal of Honor for his courage at Front Royal.

Front Royal, Virginia · United States