The Battle of Lynchburg

For more information about historic sites, stop by the Lynchburg Visitor Center, 216 12th St.

~ Driving Tour ~

Union Gen. David Hunter reached the outskirts of Lynchburg June 17, 1864, hoping to capture the important supply and hospital center. Hunter's advance on Lynchburg followed a decisive victory over Confederates at Piedmont in the Shenandoah Valley two weeks earlier. Following Piedmont, "Black Dave" then occupied Lexington — burning the Virginia Military Institute — before turning east.

Seeing the threat, Robert E. Lee rushed Gen. Jubal Early to the scene. Arriving just in time, Early turned back Hunter after fierce fighting on June 18. Hunter retreated all the way into West Virginia. Early then launched his own campaign that ended finally in the suburbs of Washington DC.

A Civil War Trails driving tour of Lynchburg sites describes both the action and the city's role in the war. An excellent tour tape (or CD) is now available for purchase at several places in town, including the Lynchburg visitor center. For mail order, write to the Historic Sandusky Foundation, 757 Sandusky Drive, Lynchburg VA 24502, or see www.historicsandusky.org. See also Hunter's Raid.

Battle of Lynchburg Sites

Sandusky – The tour begins in the yard of this 1808 Federal-style house that Hunter used as headquarters after arriving June 17. The house is undergoing restoration.

Quaker Meeting House – Confederate cavalry watched the Federals advance toward Lynchburg from here, fighting a delaying action until Early moved into position.

Fort Early – This is a series of forts built in 1863. Early began moving troops into the line June 17, with Fort Early at the center, guarding the Lynchburg-Salem Turnpike. It was defended successfully June 18.

Fort McCausland – Built earlier in 1864 to protect the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, the fort was used by Confederates defending the right flank during Hunter's attacks.

Old City Cemetery and Pest House
Fourth and Taylor streets, Lynchburg
www.gravegarden.org or 434-847-1465
Cemetery Center near the Pest House and Confederate section of the cemetery
    This wonderfully restored cemetery, founded in 1806, includes a well-interpreted Confederate and Civil War section. There were 2,200 Confederate burials here.
    The Pest House Medical Museum offers a glimpse of 19th–century medical practices. The building was a quarantine building for Confederate soldiers. A tape plays during exterior tours. You can look in the windows.
   The Pest House is the topic of a video played in the Cemetery Center, which includes a museum featuring antique mourning items, a small gift shop and restrooms. Cemetery open dawn to dusk. Visitor center open weekdays 11 am–3 pm (and by appointment). It's all free.

Point of Honor
112 Cabell St.
www.pointofhonor.org
   Trails sign located at the house museum tells the story of its wartime resident, Col. Robert Owen, president of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. The home also may have been visited by Union spies before the 1864 Battle of Lynchburg. The 1815 Federal-style building is part of the Lynchburg Museum system and is open Monday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm. $6 adults.

Civil War Lynchburg – Proposed tour site planned for the downtown historic district describes Lynchburg's role in the war, focusing on its transportation, hospital and supply roles.

Civil War Hospitals – Tour sign located near buildings used as Confederate hospitals during the war. Thirty-two hospitals treated 3,000-4,000 patients at a time, many more after major battles.

Spring Hill Cemetery – Early moved troops into the cemetery during the battle to bolster his lines at the Salem Turnpike. Later, Confederate Gens. Thomas T. Munford, James Dearing and Jubal Early himself were buried here.

The Lynchburg Museum in the Old Courthouse
901 Court St.
434-455-6226, www.lynchburgmuseum.org
    Located in the 1855 Court House, the museum describes all of the area’s history including much on the Civil War. Flags, artifacts from the 1864 Battle of Lynchburg, and items used by Gen. Jubal Early are on display. Civil War Trails sign outside. Open Monday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm; Sunday noon–4 pm. $6/adult.