Marker Text:
Constructed in Spring 1863 by the
54th Pennsylvania Under Col. Jacob
Campbell, the fortifications took
advantage of the natural defenses
overlooking Mechanicsburg Gap and
the South Branch of the Potomac.
The Site was occupied March-June
and August-November 1863 by the
54th, but it went unused the rest
of the war. The trenches were listed
on the National Register in 2014.
More about the Trenches:
he Fort Mill Ridge Civil War Trenches are battle trenches in West Virginia that were originally dug between 1861 and 1862 to be later used in 1863 for the civil war. These trenches lined with chestnut logs by the Confederate artillery during the American Civil War to defend the approaches to Romney on the Northwestern Turnpike and the South Branch Potomac River. The trenches were then refurbished between March and June 1863 by the 54th Pennsylvania Infantry and the 1st West Virginia Infantry. When Colonel Jacob M. Campbell (54th PVI) garrisoned Union forces at Romney, camps were set up at nearby at Mechanicsburg Gap.[3] The Confederates might have created these trenches but all throughout the war the Union had control of these trenches.
The Fort Mill Ridge trenches are believed to be the best preserved battle trenches dating from the Civil War in existence. The trenches are located three miles southwest of Romney adjacent to the Fort Mill Ridge Wildlife Management Area off of the Northwestern Turnpike (U.S. Route 50/West Virginia Route 28).
A Civil War museum relating to the construction and use of the Fort Mill Ridge trenches is located within the Taggart Hall Civil War Museum & Visitors Center on the corner of High Street and Gravel Lane in downtown Romney.
This place is significant not only because of battle that was being taken place but for the military and engineering. The engineering style the Confederates used is an excellent example of a rammed earth fortification" to protect the transportation routes as well. Also, this brought a new age to wars and a new fighting style of fighting in trenches rather than an open field. It provided more protection and defense than the offensive strategy of fighting. The defensive method was used so the transports can pass by safely.