Fort Mill Ridge, Union Outpost

Fortifications Built in 1863
Hampshire County, WV

The remains of Fort Mill Ridge are quite recognizable in spite of the trees that have grown up on the site. In fact, the trees are credited with helping to preserve the contours of the earthworks by slowing down erosion.

A pleasant park is now on the site. Trails and interpretive signs are maintained by The Fort Mill Ridge Foundation in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources.

I was interested in reading a couple of the signs that refer to McNeill's Rangers. (See all my posts about the McNeills.) One sign explains that "Eastern West Virginia was a hotly contested guerilla area during the Civil War, and Fort Mill Ridge was an isolated outpost. Surprise attack could come from any direction. " It also tells us that Confederates launched raids into West Virginia from their base in Rockingham County, Virginia. "Two primary raids were undertaken in the spring of 1863."

More details are given on a marker called "Engagement with McNeill's Rangers." Shown below, it tells the following story:

In early April, 1863, a Confederate force led by Captain John H. McNeill's Rangers and four additional companies of Virginia cavalry left Rockingham County for West Virginia. At Moorefield, 20 miles south of Fort Mill Ridge, the force divided into several smaller units.

On April 6th, McNeill's Rangers surprised a Union foraging train near Burlington, 10 miles west of Fort Mill Ridge, capturing 5 wagons and 11 soldiers. A contingent of 50 Union cavalrymen sent to assist the foraging party headed south toward Moorefield by today's Route 220, west of Mill Mountain. A second larger Union cavalry force followed them.

The smaller Union force ran headlong into the Virginia cavalry and bid a hasty retreat back up the road. Near Purgitsville, they met with the larger Union force, which prepared to receive the Confederates. A hand-to-hand melee ensued before the outnumbered Confederates broke off the engagement and retreated south toward Moorefield.

Union infantry and artillery were sent to reinforce the cavalry. On the morning of April 7th, they surprised the Confederate encampment 5 miles south of Moorefield. After scattering the Confederates with artillery shells, the Union infantry crossed the swollen South Branch of the Potomac River in small boats and burned the camp. The Union forces then returned to Fort Mill Ridge, and McNeill's Confederates returned to Rockingham County.

You can read all the markers in the Fort Mill Ridge area on HMDB.