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At this time in history, America was in a civil war. The individual states of the United States could not agree on state rights, specifically the ownership of slaves. Particularly, the state of Virginia was greatly affected. Part of the state wanted to be loyal to the Union side of the war, and the other part's loyalty lied with the Confederates. The Battle of Hoke's Run was the first Civil War engagement in the Shenandoah Valley.The Battle of Hoke’s Run was fought on July 2nd, 1861. Another name for this battle is “The Battle of Falling Waters.” This battle was part of the Manassas campaign as one of the battles of the American Civil War. The Union was led by General Robert Patterson, and the Confederates were led by Colonel Thomas J. Jackson. On the morning of July 2nd, the Union crossed the Potomac River from Maryland to Virginia using the Valley Turnpike.The Falling Waters waterfall feeds into the Potomac River, and above the waterfall is a stream. The Valley Turnpike crosses the stream at the top of the waterfall. Since this waterfall was the last body of water seen by the Union before the fight half a mile south on the Porterfield Farm, they named the battle after it. The Union has a reputation to name their battles after natural landmarks. After naming their upcoming battle, they were on to take on the Confederates.

On top of the waterfall near the stream is the "A Splendid Falls" marker

Right above is the stream and Valley Turnpike

An overall look of the waterfall of Falling Waters

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Dedicated in 2008, this marker talks about the Battle of Falling Waters and how a waterfall impacted it. Right on the edge of the Eastern Panhandle border of West Virginia lies a small town that houses historic and residential homes. Falling Waters was established in 1815. With its location lying between Martinsburg and Hagerstown, Falling Waters has become a residence for many people employed in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Two Civil War battles were fought in Falling Waters: The Battle of Hoke’s Run and The Battle of Williamsport.

The Battle of Hoke's Run: A Splendid Falls

Instructor

The first battle of the Civil War in the Shenandoah Valley was fought in 1861 near the small town of Falling Waters. This tour includes a half dozen historical markers that were created by the Falling Waters Battlefield Association.

At this time in history, the United States was in a Civil War. Some states wanted to remain part of the Union, while others wanted to rebel with the Confederates. The main focus of the war was state's rights, particularly those that involved slaves. The state of Virginia was torn in the war. The western part of Virginia wanted to remain with the Union, while the eastern side wanted to side with the Confederates. Thomas J. Jackson was born in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia) in 1824. He graduated from the United States Military Academy and then fought in the Mexican War from 1846-1848. After the war, he left the military and began teaching at the Virginia Military Institute. During the Civil War, after Virginia succeeded from the Union, Jackson joined the Confederate Army under General Robert E. Lee. The Battle of Falling Water's was Jackson's first engagement in the civil war. On July 2nd during the Battle of Falling Waters, the Union crossed the Potomac River from Maryland into Virginia. From there, General Robert Patterson instructed his troops to head south to Martinsburg. In response, Colonel Thomas Jackson sent his troops north to block the Union. While blocking, Jackson’s troops were to asses the Union’s numbers. Jackson had been directed by General Joseph E. Johnston, one of the highest ranking Confederates, to retreat if they were outnumbered. Although the troops reported to Colonel Jackson that they were outnumbered, he nevertheless fought. At some point during the fight, Jackson sat down to write a letter to General Johnston to inform him of the Union’s strength. He sat underneath a large white oak tree while the fight was still blazing on and began to write. Suddenly, the tree was struck by a shot and a large limb fell close to Colonel Jackson. Unhurt, he wiped the fallen debris from himself, and handed the letter to the letter carrier as if nothing had happened.

This marker, dedicated in 2008 by the Falling Waters Battlefield Association, tells of Stonewall Jackson and his involvement in the Battle of Falling Waters. Established in 1815, the small town of Falling Waters West Virginia was the site of two Civil War battles. The first battle was the Battle of Falling Waters (Hoke's Run), and the second was the Battle of Williamsport. The Battle of Falling Waters was in 1861. General Robert Patterson led the Union, while Colonel Thomas J. Jackson led the Confederates. Colonel Jackson would soon become called “Stonewall Jackson.”


The Battle of Falling Waters: Jackson's Coolness Under Fire

The Battle of Falling Waters (or Hoke's Run) was a small skirmish in the Civil War. During the Civil War, America was fighting over state's rights, specifically how that played into slavery. Virginia was highly affected by this. Part of Virginia, the western part, wanted to stay part of the Union. The eastern side of Virginia wanted to join the Confederacy. At the time this battle took place, Falling Waters was still part of Virginia. Kenton Harper was a Colonel for the Confederacy. He commanded the 5th Virginia Infantry composed of 380 men. Thomas J. Jackson (later known as "Stonewall" Jackson) placed Harper's Infantry by the Valley Turnpike in order to meet the Federals when they arrived. General Robert Patterson led the Union. Harper placed majority of his troops along Hammonds Mill Road. He put three companies farther up, at the Porterfield House. Those 380 Confederate soldiers slowed down the advancement of the Union. This bought those placed at the Porterfield House a little bit of time to prepare. Consequently, the Confederates were then in danger of being encircled by the Federals. Because of this risk, Jackson ordered Harper to have his unit withdraw. The battle then continued later at the Porterfield house. The 5th Virginia Infantry was made up of several militia units from the Shenandoah Valley. One of those units, Company K, was originally called the Continental Morgan Guards. This name came from the Revolutionary War General Daniel Morgan. Sometime years before the Civil War, the unit took on a uniform that resembled one of a Continental Soldier. These uniforms included "blue coats, ruffled shirts, and tri-corner hats." Although the rest of the Confederates wore gray, those of the Company K wore their blue uniforms in the Battle of Falling Waters. Soon after, the company changed its uniform in order to more easily be recognized as with the Confederacy.

This marker, dedicated in 2012, tells of the strategic move of Colonel Kenton Harper's Infantry in the Battle of Falling Waters. Falling Waters is a small town in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. It was established in 1815. With its placement between Martinsburg and Hagerstown, this a a very popular residence for people employed in Washington D.C. and Baltimore. Two Civil War battles were fought in Falling Waters: The Battle of Hoke's Run and The Battle of Williamsport. 

The Battle of Falling Waters: Harper's 5th Virginia Infantry

The Battle of Falling Waters (Hoke's Run) was a small skirmish during the Civil War. America was at war at this time over states rights, more specifically the slavery aspect of that. Virginia's loyality during this time was torn. The western part wanted to stay with the Union, while the eastern part was more for the Confederacy. At the time of this battle, Falling Waters was still considered part of Virginia. This marker is located on a piece of triangle land on the side of Hammonds Mill Road. Along with the marker, is a split rail fence, a Civil War Trail Sign, and a yellow "Stumpy's Hollow sign." Stumpy's Hollow is the name for this triangular piece of land. This land has been known as "Stumpy's Hollow" since Civil War era, but the origin of the name is unknown. The split rail fence is a replica of the kind of the fence that was there during the Civil War. The fence replica was constructed by the Falling Waters Battlefield Association in 2010. Robert Patterson was a General for the Union. On July 2nd, 1861, General Patterson had his army marching towards Martinsburg, with Company I ahead of them acting as skirmishers. The troops then reached a fork in the road at Stumpy's Hollow. The Union caption was uncertain of which way to go, so he put a lieutenant, John B. Huchinson, in charge. The captain then went to explore their options. The rest of the troops were told to rest while he did so. The soldiers complied and rested by a split rail fence. While they were resting, and officer dressed in blue (Union color) rode up to the fence from the nearby field. Unknowingly to the soldiers, this officer was Confederate Lieutenant Colonel J.E.B. Stuart. He had worn his U.S. Army Uniform, just like many other Confederates. He instructed the soldiers to take apart a section of the fence in order for him to pass. After the soldiers were done, the Stuart pulled out his pistols and supposedly said "Surrender or you are dead men!" The rest of Stuarts regiment, 1st Virginia Calvary, shortly arrived at Stumpy's Hollow. Three Federals were killed and the forty three others there were captured by Stuart and his men.

This marker was dedicated by the Falling Waters Battlefield Association in 2008. This markers tells of J.E.B. Stuart's ploy against the Federals. Falling Waters is a small town in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia that was established in 1815. With Falling Waters' location being between Martinsburg and Hagerstown, this area is a popular residence for those employed in Washington D.C. or Baltimore. Two Civil War battles were fought in this area: the Battle of Hoke's Run and the Battle fo Williamsport. 

The Battle of Falling Waters: Stuart's Surprise

At this time, in 1861, the United States was in a Civil War. The states of this nation were disputing over state's rights in the country. A main point in this argument was the expansion of slavery. Virginia at this time was especially torn during this war. The western part wanted to side with the Union, while the eastern part wanted to be part of the Confederacy. The western half was undergoing seccession during this battle. William Nelson Pendleton was a 51 year old Episcopal priest from Lexington Virginia. He began in the military, then was a teacher, and then finally became a priest. Once the Civil War started, Pendleton was elected to command the 1st Rockbridge Artillery in the Confederate military. Pendleton still held his church positions throughout the war. The artillery was composed of college educated young men. The young men used four cannons that had came from the Virginia Military Institute. William Pendleton named the cannons "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John." These were the names of the four Apostles in the Bible. They were also given this name because it was said that the machines "spoke a powerful language." William Pendleton placed one cannon, Luke, in the middle of the Valley Turnpike, now called US route 11, to support his General, Thomas J. Jackson. Pendleton did not fire until the Union calvarymen were close enough that they were a threat. Once they came close enough, he gave the order to fire. He supposedly said "Aim, low men! And may God have mercy on their souls!" Luke was the only cannon that shot. It shot eight times but then was withdrawn because the Union was too overpowering. After the war, two of the Apostles were taken back to VMI. They still stand there today. The cannons are located under the Stonewall Jackson statue. Two other cannons that were used during the war stand with the two Apostles. The extra two have taken on the other Apostle names.

This marker, dedicated by the Falling Waters Battlefield Association in 2012, tells of the 4 Apostle cannons used during the Battle of Falling Waters. Falling Waters is a small town that was established in 1815. It is in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Two Civil War battles were fought in this area: The battle of Hoke's Run and the Battle of Williamsport.

The Battle of Falling Waters: 4 Apostles of the 1st Rockbridge Artillery

In 1763, this house was built by David Crocket. David Crocket is the grandfather of wild west figure, Davy Crockett. Davy Crockett is said to be one of the "best-known folk heroes of America." He fought in the Texas Revolution and was part of the U.S. House of Representatives for Tennessee. He was known to oppose much of what Andrew Jackson, the president at the time, created. In his lifetime and continued into today, many songs and plays have been created about him. This battle took place on the farm of William Rush Porterfield. This was the first fighting engagement in the Shenandoah Valley. Porterfield was a Union supporter. Colonel Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson was leading the Confederates, while General Robert Patterson commanded the Union. As the battle began, the wife and children of William Porterfield fled to a nearby house of a friend. Just as the Union troops were arriving, the Confederate's Fifth Virginia Infantry occupied the Porterfield house and farm buildings. From there, the Confederate sharp shooters began to fire. The Federal artillery quickly returned the destruction. They burned the barn to the ground and impaired the house. Jackson's men withdrew, so the battle ended up lasting less than an hour. Once the Confederates withdrew, the Union troops created a makeshift hospital out of the house. The used this to tend to the wounded on both sides. The battle had unfortunately greatly damaged the Porterfield property. After the war, William Porterfield remained on his land. He then restored his property. Currently, the Crockett-Porterfield house is owned by a construction developer. As of right now, he intends to save the house. The Falling Waters Battlefield Association is trying to preserve the site.

The Falling Waters Battlefield Association dedicated this marker in 2012. This marker tells of the battle fought on the Porterfield Farm as part of the Battle of Falling Waters. Falling Waters is a small town in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia that was established in 1815. Two battles during the Civil War were fought in Falling Waters: The Battle of Hoke's Run and The Battle of Williamsport.

The Battle of Falling Waters: Crockett-Porterfield House

At this time in history, America was in a civil war. The individual states of the United States could not agree on state rights, specifically the ownership of slaves. Particularly, the state of Virginia was greatly affected. Part of the state wanted to be loyal to the Union side of the war, and the other part's loyalty lied with the Confederates. The Battle of Hoke's Run was the first Civil War engagement in the Shenandoah Valley. The Battle of Hoke’s Run was fought on July 2nd, 1861. Another name for this battle is “The Battle of Falling Waters.” This battle was part of the Manassas campaign as one of the battles of the American Civil War. The Union was led by General Robert Patterson, and the Confederates were led by Colonel Thomas J. Jackson. On the morning of July 2nd, the Union crossed the Potomac River from Maryland to Virginia using the Valley Turnpike. The Falling Waters waterfall feeds into the Potomac River, and above the waterfall is a stream. The Valley Turnpike crosses the stream at the top of the waterfall. Since this waterfall was the last body of water seen by the Union before the fight half a mile south on the Porterfield Farm, they named the battle after it. The Union has a reputation to name their battles after natural landmarks. After naming their upcoming battle, they were on to take on the Confederates.

The Battle of Falling Waters (Hoke's Run)

The Battle of Hoke's Run: A Splendid Falls

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