Civil War Trails is “the world’s largest open-air museum” With signs located at more than 1500 sites in 6 states (Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania). This sign is located in Bedford County, Virginia at the National Park Service Peaks of Otter Visitor Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The sign interprets part of Hunter’s Raid. We’ll do a series on the entire raid in the future.

From the marker- On May 26, 1864, Union General David Hunter marched south from Cedar Creek near Winchester to drive out Confederate forces, lay waste to the Shenandoah Valley, and destroy transportation facilities at Lynchburg. His raid was part of General Ulysses Grant’s strategy to attack Confederates simultaneously throughout Virginia. After defeating General William “Grumble” Jones at Piedmont on June 5, Hunter marched to Lexington, burned Virginia Military Institute, and headed to Lynchburg. There, on June 17-18, General Jubal A. Early repulsed Hunter and pursued him to West Virginia. Early then turned north in July to threaten Washington.

From the marker- By the mid-19th century, the Buchanan and Bedford Turnpike (preset day Route 43) was constructed through the Blue Ridge Mountains. On June 15, 1864, Union General David Hunter’s troops crossed the mountains from Buchanan headed to the city of Lynchburg. The road across the mountains was rough. Scouts scaled Sharp Top, from which, they could see Richmond with the aid of a spyglass. Private Samuel Reader wrote that the views were the most magnificent he had ever beheld. “As far as the eyes can reach a fine undulating country is seen. The Peaks of Otter is the finest sight for mountain scenery.” Hunter’s artillery commander, Captain Henry A. du Pont, later wrote that “one of the most superb views on the whole American continent lay before us.”

From the pictures below you can see what inspired their letters.

The Peaks of Otter Lodge (link)- the only hotel on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.