Draw the Sword

Location: Oak Hill, behind Peace Memorial

Order of Battle: Rodes’ Division, Ewell’s Corps

Commander: Maj. Gen. Robert Emmett Rodes (March 29, 1829 – September 19, 1864) was a railroad civil engineer and a promising young Confederate general in the American Civil War, killed in battle in the Shenandoah Valley.

Monument Specifications: Polished granite rectangular monument with rough hewn sides. Bronze plaque affixed to front.

Dedication Date: ca. 1909.

Main Inscription: Reads,

C. S. A.
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
SECOND ARMY CORPS
RODES’ DIVISION
Maj. Gen. R. E. Rodes

Daniel’s Brigade Brig. Gen. Junius Daniel
Doles’s Brigade Brig. Gen. George Doles
Iverson’s Brigade Brig. Gen. Alfred Iverson
Ramseur’s Brigade Brig. Gen. S. D. Ramseur
O’Neal’s Brigade Col. E. A. O’Neal
Artillery Battalion
Four Batteries Lieut. Col. Thomas H. Carter

July 1. Rodes’s Division advancing by the Newville Road occupied Oak Ridge about noon. The line formed and advanced in the following order. Dole’s Brigade deployed in the valley north of town and left of Division and was opposed by troops of the Eleventh Corps. O’Neal’s and Iverson’s Brigades advanced on ridge and meeting a portion of First Union Corps were driven back with heavy loss. Daniel’s Brigade was ordered to the support of Iverson but became separated by a change of direction moved to the railroad on the right where Heth’s Division was engaged. Ramseur held in reserve. After a severe conflict the Union troops retired.

July 2. The Division occupied ground near and west of town and was not engaged.

July 3. The Brigades of Daniel and O’Neal were ordered to report to Gen. E. Johnson on the left early in the morning and joined in the attack on Culp’s Hill. The remainder of the Division held the position of day before and at night retired to Seminary Ridge.

July 4. The Division took up the line of march during the night.

Casualties Killed 421 Wounded 1728 Missing 704 Total 2853

Other Monuments and Memorials: None.

Supplemental Materials: After Action Report of Maj. Gen. R. E. Rodes (will open a pop up window).