Route of Jackson's Valley Campaign

[whitworth]

Virginia, early in the war, was the home ground of Stonewall's army, which the Confederacy took full advantage. The Union army, unfamilar with all the ways to cross mountains, were at a distinct disadvantage early in the war, when fighting in Virginia.

By 1863, through some painful experiences, the Union armies learned where the gaps were in Northern Virginia mountains.

For example, the Army of the Potomac blocked gaps in the Bull Run Mountains that prevented Stuart's Cavalry from getting to Pennsylvania on schedule, in 1863. From the reports, the Union officers seemed well familiar with Northern Virginia gaps, when following Lee back into Virginia after Gettysburg.

I haven't studied some of the western gaps in Virginia, but I know the army that knew where the gaps were, had a great tactical advantage over the army that did not know these gaps.

[Dred]

When you look out on Massunutten from the skyline drive, you can see the saddle that he must have crossed. I think its about right in the middle but I haven't been therein a couple years so I could be off. It is my understanding, however, that the mountain itself did not have as many trees, so it is quite possible that there was a road, and that it is now grown over.

[whitworth]

"If Confederate generals chose to withdraw up the Valley Turnpike from Fisher's Hill, any pursuing Union general was forced to split his forces at the Massanutten in order to cover an advance up both the main and the Luray valleys. Once divided, he could not again reunite his forces for more than fifty miles because of the intervening mountain. Only a single rough road crossed the Massanutten--running from New Market to Luray through the New Market Gap."
source: http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/...ah/svs2-3.html


Route 211 follows the New Market Gap on Topographical maps.

http://www.digital-topo-maps.com/