The Civil War-- Laurel Brigade

SIGNIFICANCE: Tom's Brook was a battle of strategy and maneuver that pitted cavalry against cavalry. The Confederate cavalry were eager for revenge against the US cavalry, which had been burning barns and mills in the Valley around Round Hill for the previous week. On 9 October 1864, however, Sheridan ordered his cavalry to ``whip'' the enemy or get whipped themselves. In the resulting conflict, the US troopers routed the Confederate cavalry, impairing its morale and efficiency for the remainder of the campaign. The Confederate flight was referred to by Valley residents and victorious Union troopers as the ``Woodstock Races.'' The fighting on the Back Road at Spiker's Hill pitted two former West Point roommates against one another--Tom Rosser and George Armstrong Custer. Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan watched the battle unfold, reputedly from the summit of Round Hill. Confederate Cavalry under Rosser belonged to the famed "Laurel Brigade" that had been commanded by Turner ashby before his death in 1862. These men were primarily from loudoun county and surroundings.

NOTES: NO INK. USE GREEN and YELLOW. The Insignia of the "Laurel Brigade is depicted here from the only picture of this emblem known to exist, I believe. The background is yellow and the stamp image is green. I used the back of the stamp with yellow ink, stamped first, then green on the image and stamped over the yellow.

DIRECTIONS: From Route 11 in Tom's Brook Va. travel south and look for the historical marker on the right which is marker A-25 "Action of Tom's Brook". From this marker proceed south on Rt. 11 for approx. 0.5 miles. The entrance to Shenandoah County Park will be on your left. Turn here and enter the park. Proceed up the hill and follow the "Civil War Trails" signs to the parking area behind the tennis courts (East side). Park here.

CLUES: From the lot, proceed to the "Fit Trail" information station. Proceed on the trail heading at 40 degrees. "Civil War Trails" signs will be present as well. Continue on this trail past the four cavalry horses on the left and stations #s 1 and 2 on the right. Continue straight through the wood zig-zag and up the trail to the interpretive sign. Read about this battle. Continue around the horseshoe until you come to four trees on the right. Standing at the western most tree, take a bearing of 250 degrees. walk 20 steps to the edge of the field. Stop here and check your surroundings for pedestrian traffic. This would be a good place to sit and look like your resting if need be. DICREETLY look into the brush for two old fallen trees. The "Laurel Brigade" is under the right trunk under a flat rock. PLEASE... Don't risk this if people are near by. I am not thrilled with this plant spot, but I was running out of time. I will likely replant this in a different are of the park at a later time. safe trails!
Koyote