In June 1864, the Inner Line of Lynchburg's defenses ran here, thrown up by General D. H. Hill as General John C. Breckinridge, confronting General Hunter in the Shenandoah Valley, made a forced march to forestall Hunter. Hill constructed a shallow line of trenches, occupied by Breckinridge, hospital convalescents, and Home Guards. It became a reserve line when General Early arrived.