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62-588: As of 2023, the school district has an enrollment of 5,693 students. In September 1870, Capt. John H. Grabill was appointed as the first superintendent of schools for Shenandoah County under the provisions for the new public school system in Virginia. The first meeting of the Board of Education was held on April 8, 1871. In the early years of the district, it had over 114 schools, the majority of which were county one-room schools. The Virginia Teachers League (now represented by

124-717: A 400-acre tract at the confluence of Mill Creek and the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and established a grist mill by 1746. Soon other settlers and small mills followed. The village was known as Mount Pleasant. On January 28, 1826, an act of the General Assembly of Virginia changed the name of the village in honor of General Andrew Jackson , the hero of the War of 1812. Mount Jackson became relatively wealthy because of its location, about halfway between Winchester and Staunton along

186-567: A bridge from Meems Bottom, a strategic crossing of the Valley Turnpike over the North Fork of the Shenandoah River to Mt. Jackson. The attack lasted just fifteen minutes with most of the Union cavalry captured but McNeill, one of the best-known and feared Confederate partisan raiders as leader of McNeill's Rangers , was mortally wounded. He was taken to the house on Rude's Hill, where his identity

248-565: A consortium of public, private and non-profit organizations based in the counties of Shenandoah and Rockingham, Virginia have come together in an exploratory group called the Shenandoah Rail Trail Partnership to seek transformation of the 38.5-mile out-of-service rail corridor (62.0 km) from Strasburg to Broadway (including Mt. Jackson as a historic hub) into a multi-use trail. As of the census of 2000, there were 1,664 people, 667 households, and 440 families residing in

310-505: A graduate of Princeton University and a native of Mt. Jackson, ran the hospital and the land was donated by Col. Levi Rinker, a large slaveowner and one of the wealthiest families in the valley. The hospital, intended as a wayside hospital for intermediate care not a permanent treatment facility for badly wounded, consisted of three two story buildings and could accommodate 500 patients, a mixture of wounded soldiers and those sick from disease. The hospital functioned nearly continuously throughout

372-537: A hospital, with etchings on the walls by passing soldiers. Daniel Grey, a Revolutionary War soldier, lays buried here. Many of the most prominent early citizens of the area lay at rest in the church yard. Union Church is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Mount Jackson Historic District encompasses 125 buildings and contributing structures in the town. This includes a variety of commercial, residential, and institutional buildings dating primarily from

434-473: A rail line extending through Mt. Jackson, originally part of the historic Manassas Gap Railroad , that it has put out of service, lacking industrial demand. The last train traveled south from Mt. Jackson in 2014. In 2016 Norfolk Southern announced that it would no longer be maintaining the railbed, and the rail line has become overgrown with weeds and brush. Pending formal abandonment by the Norfolk Southern,

496-457: A rearguard on Rude's Hill, with Sullivan's infantry east of the turnpike, some of Stahel's cavalry west of the road, and the artillery behind the line. Due to the exhaustion of the men and low ammunition, Sigel decided to retreat across the Shenandoah River to Mount Jackson. Breckinridge advanced his artillery to the crest of Rude's Hill where they shelled Sigel's retreating Federals. The Union army managed to cross Mill Creek at Mt. Jackson and burned

558-402: A two-gun artillery section. Breckinridge concentrated his infantry at Staunton, while Imboden slowed Sigel's movement southward along the valley. On the morning of May 13, Breckinridge decided to move north to attack Sigel instead of waiting for Sigel to reach Staunton. By the evening of May 14, Sigel's advance forces had reached a position north of the village of New Market, while Breckinridge

620-473: Is easily identified from I-81 exit 273 by the water tower painted as a basket of apples, which was recently repainted. For those exploring off the highway, the town has history as a commercial and railroad hub in the region, with rich Civil War heritage and a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. in 1739, attracted by rich valley land and abundant water supply, Benjamin Allen purchased

682-494: Is located just to the west of Short Mountain , a prominent ridge of the Massanutten Mountain Ridge . Short Mountain is seven miles in length, from Mount Jackson on the south end to Edinburg on the north. The most prominent feature of Short Mountain is "The Knob", a rocky top barren at the south end of the mountain, an iconic landmark overlooking Mt. Jackson, the image of which is part of the town's official seal. When

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744-532: The Medal of Honor in 1896 for saving the regimental flag in the battle. The Confederate victory allowed the local crops to be harvested for Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and protected Lee's lines of communications to western Virginia. The Virginia newspapers and the Confederate soldiers in the battle compared Breckinridge to Stonewall Jackson . Following Sigel's retreat, Lee suggested that Breckinridge follow

806-522: The Union Army had entered the valley, Major General John C. Breckinridge pulled together all available forces to repulse the latest threat. His command consisted of two infantry brigades under John C. Echols and General Gabriel C. Wharton , a cavalry brigade commanded by General John D. Imboden , and other independent commands. This included the cadet corps of VMI, which had an infantry battalion of 247 cadets commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Scott Shipp and

868-690: The Valley Campaigns of 1864 in the American Civil War . A makeshift Confederate army of 4,100 men defeated the larger Army of the Shenandoah under Major General Franz Sigel , delaying the capture of Staunton by several weeks. The battle is primarily remembered today for being the only time in American history a school's student body was used as an organized combat unit. During the battle Confederate general John C. Breckinridge ordered cadets from

930-536: The Valley Turnpike through the Shenandoah Valley , at a place where a tributary, Mill Creek, fed into the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. This provided power for milling enterprises to serve the local farms. Another major road, Howard's Lick Turnpike, was started in 1856, originating in town heading towards mountainous western Virginia. Generating further development, Mt. Jackson was the original terminus of

992-467: The Virginia & Tennessee Railroad and other Confederate industries in the area. Sigel's force totaled about 9,000 men and 28 cannons, divided into an infantry division commanded by Brigadier General Jeremiah C. Sullivan and a cavalry division commanded by Major General Julius Stahel (detachments made during the campaign reduced the Union force to about 6,300 by the time of the battle). Receiving word that

1054-573: The Virginia Military Institute (VMI), some of them child soldiers no older than 15, to join an attack on the Union lines. The event has gone on to become central to many of the institute's myths and traditions. In the spring of 1864, Union commander-in-chief Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant set in motion a grand strategy designed to press the Confederacy into submission. Control of

1116-567: The Confederate line but were repulsed in a sharp action. Early then retreated from Rude's Hill to Harrisonburg, eventually retreating to the entrance of the Shenandoah Valley at Browns Gap in the Blue Ridge. In a predawn raid on October 3, 1864, Confederate Captain John McNeill led approximately 50 Confederate rangers against roughly 100 Union troopers of the 8th Ohio Cavalry Regiment guarding

1178-404: The Confederate pursuit. At this time, Breckinridge halted his forces until the supply trains arrived to resupply the troops. While the infantry was being resupplied, Confederate cavalry general Imboden arrived with his brigade with the news that the creek was too swollen to be crossed. Union general Sullivan arrived during this time with the 28th and 116th Ohio infantry; Sigel managed to organize

1240-545: The Federals encountered Confederate cavalry under command of Maj. Robert White. White. The rebel troopers retreated through Mt. Jackson fighting, crossing the bridges through Meems Bottom and to the defensible position on Rude's Hill. Realizing that White's horse artillery could sweep the bridge from the hill, Boyd withdrew from the skirmish at Rude's Hill and withdrew to Woodstock, pursued by Confederate cavalry. Boyd's reconnaissance-in-force then returned to West Virginia. Losses from

1302-771: The Knob was threatened with private development, The Conservation Fund and Town of Mount Jackson worked together to secure $ 80,000 of funding to preserve it, purchasing it in January 2020 and conveying its 91 acres to the Forest Service to be part of the George Washington National Forest. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.2 km ), all of it land. Mt. Jackson hosts several businesses serving

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1364-609: The Mount Jackson cavalry engagement were light on both sides. Troop movements and engagements in and near the town were particularly active in May 1864, around the Battle of New Market , 7 miles from Mt. Jackson. On May 14 a delaying action was fought at Rude's Hill by the Confederate 18th Virginia Cavalry , under the overall command of Col. John Imboden . The Confederate cavalry slowed the Union advance, enabling Gen. John Breckinridge to gather

1426-549: The Shenandoah River to Mount Jackson. Breckinridge at the same time, concerned the Federals would make a stand on Rude's Hill, advanced his cavalry and artillery to the crest of Rude's Hill where they shelled and harassed Sigel's retreating Federals in Meems Bottom. The Union army managed to cross Mill Creek at Mt. Jackson and burned the bridge that spanned the creek to Mt. Jackson before the Confederates could catch up. Rude's Hill

1488-446: The Shenandoah, Hunter resumed the march southwest and defeated a Confederate force under Brig. Gen. William E. "Grumble" Jones at the Battle of Piedmont on June 5, occupying Staunton the following day. Of the 247 VMI cadets at the battle, there were 60 casualties (around 24%), with five cadets killed in action, five more dying later of wounds received, and 50 others wounded in action but surviving. Eight VMI staff also accompanied

1550-447: The Union army and invade Maryland; however, the flooded rivers in the northern Shenandoah Valley and the length of his supply line prevented Breckinridge from making a pursuit. Breckinridge's forces were transferred to eastern Virginia, where they reinforced Lee's army at the Battle of Cold Harbor . The victory failed to stop the Union offensive, however. After assuming command of the Army of

1612-411: The Union lines. Union cavalry general Stahel arrived at New Market at this time with additional troops, followed shortly afterwards by Union general Sigel. Breckinridge launched his infantry attack near noon, slowly pushing Moor's infantry brigade off Manor's Hill and northward toward the rest of Sigel's army, which was deploying on a hill north of Jacob Bushong's farm, known as Bushong's Hill. Once past

1674-444: The Union right and were repulsed as well. The main cause of the failure of the infantry attacks was confusion within the ranks of the Union commanders; Sigel was noted to be shouting orders in his native language of German. After the repulses of the Union attacks, Breckinridge started his advance again shortly after 3:00 p.m. with his infantry force; while crossing a field near Bushong's orchard, several VMI cadets lost their shoes in

1736-554: The Valley Pike, the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and Meem's Bottom and approaches south, Rude's Hill had a particularly active role in the Civil War, occupied, encamped on and contested by both armies from 1862 to 1865. On November 16–18, 1863 Col. William H. Boyd's Union cavalry reconnoitered from West Virginia to the area of the Valley Pike. The Federal troopers skirmished at Woodstock, Edinburg and Mt. Jackson. North of Mt. Jackson

1798-667: The Virginia Education Association) was originally established in Mount Jackson in Shenandoah County in 1898. This article about a school in Virginia is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Mount Jackson, Virginia Mount Jackson is a town in Shenandoah County , Virginia , United States. The population was 1,994 at the 2010 census. For highway travelers passing by, Mount Jackson

1860-404: The average family size was 3.01. In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 94.7 males. The median income for a household in the town

1922-525: The bridge before the Confederates could catch up. Union casualties totaled 841 for the battle: 96 killed, 520 wounded, and 225 captured or missing, a casualty rate of 13.4%. The Confederates lost 43 killed, 474 wounded, and 3 missing, 13% of the army. The wounded from the battle were cared for in Bushong's barn and in the town at the Smith Creek Baptist church and a warehouse, while the dead were buried in

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1984-571: The cadets and the Commandant, Scott Shipp , was wounded in action as well. The New Market Day ceremony is an annual observance held at VMI in front of the monument Virginia Mourning Her Dead , a memorial to the New Market Corps. It was sculpted by Cavaliere Moses Ritter von Ezekiel , VMI Class of 1866, who was a veteran of the battle. The names of all of the cadets in the Corps of 1864 are inscribed on

2046-410: The center of town, built circa 1825, one of the oldest structures in the town. In 1822 an early settler bequeathed to the town a lot to build a nondenominational church for the use of any Christian congregations in the area. A frame church was originally erected on the site, but was replaced by the present brick structure around 1825. The church was used by both sides during the Civil War, including use as

2108-555: The direction of Marine Corps Brigadier General Smedley Butler and employing the Quantico marines, the battle was reenacted on its historical grounds. The number of spectators was estimated at over 150,000. John Ford 's 1959 film The Horse Soldiers includes a scene which is loosely based on the event. A principal character in Elaine Marie Alphin 's 1991 novel Ghost Cadet is the ghost of VMI cadet William Hugh McDowell, who

2170-529: The graveyard of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. Sigel staged a rapid retreat northward to Strasburg , leaving the field and the Valley to Breckinridge's army. After learning of the Union defeat, Grant became furious and replaced Sigel with General David Hunter ; Sigel was assigned to command the department's reserve division based in Harpers Ferry. Sergeant James Burns of the 1st West Virginia Infantry received

2232-631: The late-19th to the early-20th century, the era of the town's greatest prosperity. They are in a variety of popular architectural styles including Gothic Revival , Federal , and Queen Anne . Other notable buildings include the Stoneburner House, Tisinger House, S. P. Lonas House, Brill Building, Lonas Store, former Peoples Bank (c. 1904), Mt. Jackson Volunteer Fire Department (1936), Mt. Jackson Theatre Building (1938), St. Andrew's Episcopal Church (1876), Mt. Jackson Methodist Episcopal Church (1884), and Triplett Middle School (1925). The historic district

2294-447: The line and repaired it from war damage, that the rail line was completed through to Harrisonburg. Mt. Jackson became a small but significant rail entrepot for grain, apples, and livestock, continuing to prosper as a mill and railroad town during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Company G of the 33rd Regiment of Virginia Infantry, part of the famous " Stonewall Brigade " under command of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson,

2356-465: The main body of his Confederate forces at New Market, about 4 miles away. The two forces made contact south of New Market about mid-morning, with the main Union line west of the town near the North Fork of the Shenandoah River; Colonel Augustus Moor initially commanded the Union forces present on the battlefield at this time, which consisted of his infantry brigade and part of John E. Wynkoop's cavalry brigade. Additional Union regiments arrived throughout

2418-462: The main body of his Confederate forces at New Market, about 4 miles away. After losing the battle on May 15, Union General Franz Sigel managed to organize a rearguard on Rude's Hill, with infantry east of the turnpike, some cavalry west of the road and the artillery behind the line. Due to the exhaustion of the men and low ammunition, Sigel decided to retreat across the Meems bottomland and the North Fork of

2480-491: The monument, and six of the ten cadets who died are buried at this site. The ceremony features the roll call of the names of the cadets who lost their lives at New Market, a custom that began in 1887. As the name of each cadet who died is called, a representative from the same company in the modern Corps answers, "Died on the Field of Honor, Sir." A 3-volley salute is conducted by a cadet honor guard, followed by " Taps " played over

2542-448: The morning and deployed between the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and the Valley Turnpike, with the main line centered on Manor's Hill. Breckinridge deployed Wharton's brigade on the Confederate left west of the Valley Turnpike and Echols's brigade on the right along the Pike; Echols was ill that morning, so his brigade was commanded by Colonel George S. Patton, Sr. The VMI cadets battalion

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2604-479: The mud, which led to the field being called the "Field of Lost Shoes". As the Confederate line got closer to the Union artillery, Sigel's batteries were forced to retreat as the infantry started breaking towards the rear. Five cannons were abandoned to the Confederates, one of which was captured by the VMI cadet battalion. Battery B of the 5th U.S. Artillery, which had just arrived on the field, and two infantry regiments slowed

2666-463: The original and historic Valley Turnpike which now serves as the main local road passes through downtown Mount Jackson. Rt. 11, the historic route through the Shenandoah Valley, roughly parallels I-81 and offers access to it. Virginia State Route 263 named Orkney Springs Road extends westward from US 11 in Mount Jackson, connecting to Basye resort area and the historic Orkney Springs in the mountains of westernmost Shenandoah County. Norfolk Southern has

2728-539: The parade ground. To culminate this ceremony, the entire Corps passes Virginia Mourning Her Dead in review. The battlefield is primarily preserved in the 300-acre New Market Battlefield State Historical Park . In addition, the Civil War Trust (a division of the American Battlefield Trust ) and its partners have acquired and preserved 20 acres (0.081 km ) of the battlefield. In fall 1923, under

2790-407: The population. There were 667 households, out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and

2852-615: The region, including Holtzman Propane and Valley Fertilizer & Chemical Company (established 1937). Bowman Andros Products has a fruit processing factory in Mt. Jackson. A recent successful enterprise located in the town is Route 11 Potato Chips , which moved its production facility to Mount Jackson in 2008. The primary highway passing by Mount Jackson is Interstate 81 , which continues south to southwestern Virginia and Tennessee, and north to West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York. Virginia State Route 292 connects I-81 to U.S. Route 11 ,

2914-510: The rest of the Confederate line stalled. Breckinridge reluctantly ordered the VMI cadet battalion to fill the gap; while the battalion was moving forward to the Bushong orchard, Shipp was wounded and was replaced by Captain Henry A. Wise . At this time, Sigel launched two counterattacks. On the Union left, Stahel launched a mounted charge with the cavalry but was routed by heavy fire from Confederate artillery, while three infantry regiments attacked on

2976-585: The southern terminus of a north–south railroad line connecting to Northern Virginia, Mt. Jackson was an ideal location for military hospitals and became a center for military medical treatment, ultimately used by both sides in the conflict. A Confederate hospital was built in Mt. Jackson along the Manassas Gap Railroad in 1861, to which wounded and sick were to be transported by rail from the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia . Dr. Andrew Russell Meem,

3038-520: The spur of the Manassas Gap Railroad that extended from Strasburg, Virginia . This railroad was a key conduit for the crops and produce of the region to go to market further east. The connection to Mt. Jackson was completed in 1859, but the Civil War stopped further construction so the line remained a spur with Mt. Jackson the endpoint. It was not until 1868, after the Baltimore & Ohio bought

3100-593: The strategically important and agriculturally rich Shenandoah Valley was a key element in Grant's plans. While he confronted General Robert E. Lee 's Army of Northern Virginia in the eastern part of the state, Grant ordered Major General Franz Sigel 's army of 10,000 to secure the valley and threaten Lee's flank , starting the Valley Campaigns of 1864 . Sigel was to advance on Staunton, Virginia , in order to link up with another Union column, commanded by George Crook , which would advance from West Virginia and destroy

3162-452: The town of New Market, the Confederates halted to dress ranks, shift units along the line, and reposition their artillery units. Breckinridge resumed his attack at about 2:00 p.m. As the Confederate line formed near the Bushong farm, massed Union rifle and artillery fire disorganized the Confederate units in the center, forcing the right wing of the 51st Virginia Infantry and the 30th Virginia Infantry Battalion to retreat in confusion, while

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3224-423: The town. The population density was 1,353.7 people per square mile (522.3/km ). There were 718 housing units at an average density of 584.1 per square mile (225.4/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 87.74% White , 0.66% African American , 0.12% Native American , 0.30% Asian , 0.12% Pacific Islander , 9.68% from other races , and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.12% of

3286-488: The war in 1865, Union troops tore down the hospital, using the lumber to build a federal occupation installation on Rude's Hill, 3 miles south of Mt. Jackson. This post was removed in 1875 when the Reconstruction era ended. The Confederate cemetery is all that visibly remains of the hospital today in the town of Mt. Jackson. One of the most notable landmarks in Mt. Jackson, Virginia is the little red brick Union Church in

3348-402: The war, attending to wounded from the battles of Antietam, Gettysburg as well as the Shenandoah Valley campaigns. In addition, with shifting control of the town some Union soldiers were treated at the hospital and at other makeshift hospitals in the town, including Union Church. A Confederate cemetery was established across from the hospital, directly along the tracks of the railroad. At the end of

3410-441: Was $ 32,471, and the median income for a family was $ 39,423. Males had a median income of $ 29,464 versus $ 20,417 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 15,004. About 7.1% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 16.3% of those age 65 or over. Battle of New Market The Battle of New Market was fought on May 15, 1864, in Virginia during

3472-415: Was also the site of a Confederate stand following their demoralizing and humiliating defeat on September 22, 1864, at the Battle of Fisher's Hill , about 23 miles north of Mt. Jackson. Gen. Jubal Early rallied and deployed his remaining Confederate infantry in line across the top of the hill on November 22, 1864, to check the advance of two divisions of Union cavalry following them. The Union cavalry charged

3534-447: Was at Lacey Spring eight miles south of New Market. The Confederates started toward the Union positions at 1:00 a.m. on May 15, hoping to trap and crush the Union army. On May 14 a delaying action was fought at Rude's Hill , just outside of Mt. Jackson , by elements of the Confederate 18th Virginia Cavalry, under the overall command of Colonel John Imboden. The Confederate cavalry slowed the Union advance, enabling Breckinridge to gather

3596-410: Was kept in reserve, while Imboden's cavalry was east of the turnpike. Breckinridge attempted to lure the Federals into attacking him using cavalry and artillery, but Moor refused to move from his position. At about 11:00 a.m., Breckinridge decided to launch an attack on Moor using his infantry, while Imboden's brigade crossed Smith's Creek east of New Market, rode north, and recrossed the stream behind

3658-418: Was largely recruited in Mt. Jackson and vicinity. The town saw conflict during the Civil War, incurred damage and was occupied by soldiers of both armies at various times. During his Valley Campaign of 1862 , General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson made one of his headquarters just south of town at a manor on Rude's Hill , about 3 miles south of Mt. Jackson. As a highly defensible high ground position, commanding

3720-434: Was later discovered by Union General Philip Sheridan 's troops. He was later secreted away by a band of Confederates after the Federals had temporarily left, thinking him to sick to move. McNeill was taken by the Confederates to Harrisonburg where he died on November 10. In October 1864, as part of Union General Phil Sheridan's 1864 Valley Campaign aimed at destroying anything of potential military value, Mt. Jackson's mill

3782-533: Was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. The Bauserman Farm , Meems Bottom Covered Bridge and J.W.R. Moore House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Mount Jackson, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, is in the southern part of Shenandoah County, Virginia at 38°45′00″N 78°38′15″W  /  38.749950°N 78.637638°W  / 38.749950; -78.637638 (38.749950, -78.637638). The town

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3844-478: Was obliterated. Towards the end of the war, Rude's Hill was also the scene of a cavalry skirmish when Confederate Brigadier General Thomas Rosser 's troopers attacked Union troops guarding Confederate prisoners on March 7, 1865. Outside of troop movements or significant engagements, Civil War skirmishes were recorded as happening at Mt. Jackson on March 25, 1862; June 3, 6 and 16, 1862; November 18, 1863; September 23–24, 1864; October 3, 1864; and March 7, 1865. As

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