“The Shenandoah Mountain Pass is grand indeed…”
As “Stonewall” Jackson’s Army passed through the gap on their way down to McDowell, Virginia one soldier wrote:
Tuesday 13th May 1862
I have been struck with the wild & mountain scenery. The Shenandoah Mt. Pass is grand indeed, you asend to the very top of the mountain & from there you see as far as the eyes can reach, Mtn. after Mtn. in every variety of shape & grandeur whilst away down below a little valley & stream with winding road, winding around from Mt. to Mt. to descend the grade. After reaching this valley we asend the hd waters of the James to a point where the waters turn the other way & then we discerned the hdwaters of the Potomac. The Mts. tower above us beautifully.
Every now & then you will find a fresh & sparkling stream gushing out of the mtn. side & running away into the larger streams of the Valley….
Diary of Frank B. Jones
Major, 2nd VA Infantry
Major Jones was later wounded at McGehee’s Mill and succumbed to typhoid.
Marker can be reached from U.S. 250, on the right when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
