Control of the Mechanicsburg Gap
Federal Battery E, 1st (West) Virginia Volunteer Artillery was assigned to the command at Fort Mill Ridge. The Battery was armed with six 3-inch rifled cannons. It is believed that two of these cannons were positioned in the central redoubt.
The 3-inch rifled cannon was an accurate field piece with a range of about a miles on level ground. This range was longer when the cannon was placed atop a ridge. From the elevation of the central redoubt, the cannon could fire into Mechanicsburg Gap to control the approach from the west. This also allowed control of the area near the South Branch of the Potomac River bridge and the River Road to the east.
The Mechanicsburg Gap was an important mountain pass through which ran the Northwestern Turnpike, today's Route 50. The Northwestern Turnpike was one of the few direct east-west routes through the mountains of West Virginia. Its control was important to the efficient movement of men and supplies in the region.
Tues May 19. the wether is fair. no strnge news today. Wed 20. this has been a vary warm day. I am on picket gard on the Winchester Road. Thur 21. vary warm today. I com off pickit today. we had battelling drill this eaving.
Diary of Joshua Winters, May 1863.
Marker can be reached from Fort Mill Ridge Park Road, on the right when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
