Battlefield Sites

Madison County was the site of two Civil War battles that have been chosen for inclusion in the Virginia Civil War Trails program. These are the James City Battlefield on Rt. 29, just south of the Culpeper-Madison County boundary line, and the Jack's Shop Battlefield located on Scenic Byway Rt. 231 at Rochelle. In addition, the old Blue Ridge Turnpike (most of the Scenic Byway follows this road) runs through Madison County and was the route General Jackson and his forces often took to travel to and from the Shenandoah Valley. Some of the towns along this route still preserve the areas that were used as campsites by Jackson's men.

James City
Confederate Major General J.E.B. Stuart left his encampment in Madison on October 10, 1863, traveled north to James City where he engaged Union Generals Kilpatrick and French at the historic crossroads town.

Jack's Shop
On September 22, 1863, J.E.B. Stuart left his headquarters at the Brampton estate in Orange County. As he moved toward Madison, he encountered two Union divisions under the commands of General John Burford and General Judson Kilpatrick that nearly surrounded him. This battle saw Stuart's Horse Artillery used effectively and a strategic plan by Stuart to withdraw southwards towards Liberty Mills, a ford on the Rapidan guarded by more Confederate forces. For more information, check www.civilwar-va.com or call 1-888-CIVIL WAR.