Inscription
On June 13, 1861, Col. Lew Wallace (11th Indiana Infantry) led a raid against Southern forces occupying Romney. Wallace passed through the Mechanicsburg Gap and took South Branch Bridge. The Rebel retreat from Romney forced Gen. Johnston to abandon his position at Harpers Ferry, allowing Federal troops to regain control of the B&O. Wallace later wrote the novel Ben Hur.
Location
Sources
More markers in Hampshire
Capon Springs
Capon Lake, WV
Capon Springs bears Indian name meaning the "Medicine Waters.
West Virginia (Hampshire County)/Virginia
"The Mountain State"--western part of the Commonwealth of Virginia until June 20, 1863.
Northwestern Turnpike
In 1784, Washington proposed the Northwestern Turnpike as an all-Virginia route to the Ohio.
Fort Edwards
Troops from this fort under Captain Mercer were ambushed in 1756 and many were killed.
Mount Bethel Church
Three Churches, WV
The Presbyterians established a church near here in 1792.
