Linden, Virginia

Linden is an unincorporated community in Fauquier and Warren counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is one of the fastest-growing areas of Warren County due to being closer to Washington, D.C. than other parts of the county and its proximity to Interstate 66. Residents do most of their shopping either in Washington while at their jobs or in nearby Front Royal. Increasing traffic on the two-lane John Marshall Highway is leading to discussion of expanding it to eight lanes.

Geography

Linden sits astride the Warren and Faquier county lines as well as US Hwy 55, the John Marshall Highway, and interstate Highway 66 at 945 feet above sea level at the top of the Manassas Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains making it a gateway into the Shenandoah Valley today as it was for early settlers in the area. The Manassas Gap Railroad was completed in 1854, it ran through Linden and today the tracks form a part of the Norfolk Southern rail system. Additionally the north-south Appalachian Trail crosses the gap near Linden. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manassas_Gap] ,Manassas Gap.]

History

In 1669 the official discovery of the Shenandoah Valley was credited to John Lederer and John Catlett at the present day site of Linden. The discovery and mapping of the area helped to open the area for further settlement. A marker at the intersection of US 55 and VA 638 in Linden help commemorate this event. [http://www.frva.com/historic_town.htm] , Bicentennial souvenir history of Warren County.]

US Civil War

The ease of crossing the Blue Ridge for Settlers also served as a point of transit for the armies of both the Union and Confederate States during the United States Civil War. Linden was part of "Mosby's Confederacy" and served as rallying and rest points for the Confederate Raiders Mosby's Rangers under Colonel John S. Mosby [http://www.brmsstore.com/blogs/community/article/4/back-in-the-saddle] Mosby] [http://www.mosocco.com/companyd.html] Company D of the 43rd BATTALION VIRGINIA CAVALRY.]

Battle of Manassas GapA small battle and postscript to the Confederate Gettysburg campaign occurred a half mile from Linden on July 23, 1863.After retreating across the Potomac River at Williamsport, Maryland, Lee's Army of Northern Virginia withdrew up the Shenandoah Valley. George G. Meade's Army of the Potomac crossed the river east of the Blue Ridge Mountains and followed Lee into Virginia. On July 23, Meade ordered the III Corps, under Maj. Gen. William H. French, to cut off the retreating Confederate columns at Front Royal, Virginia, by forcing passage through Manassas Gap. At first light, French began slowly pushing Brig. Gen. James A. Walker's Confederate brigade (the Stonewall Brigade, part of Maj. Gen. Richard H. Anderson's division) back into the gap. About 4:30 p.m., a strong Union attack drove Walker's men until they were reinforced by Robert E. Rodes's division and artillery. By dusk, the poorly coordinated Union attacks were abandoned. During the night, Confederate forces withdrew into the Luray Valley. On July 24, the Union army occupied Front Royal, but Lee's army was safely beyond pursuit. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Manassas_Gap] , Battle of Manassas Gap-Wiki.]

Today

The Community is mostly a bedroom community but has it's own post office with zip code 22642 [http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/7027?p=1&service_name=post_office&z=22642] , Linden Post Office.] and is home to the Saint Dominics Monastery [http://www.lindenopnuns.org/] , Saint Dominics Monastery.] , Appalachian Trail Access Points along with the G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._Richard_Thompson_Wildlife_Management_Area] , G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area.] .

References

External links

* [http://www.frva.com/historic_town.htm History of Warren County]
* [http://www.brmsstore.com/blogs/community/article/4/back-in-the-saddle Mosby] (John S. Mosby}
* [http://www.mosocco.com/companyd.html Company D of the 43rd Battalion Virginia Calvary] (43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry)
* [http://www.lindenopnuns.org/ Saint Dominics Monastery]
* [http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wmas/detail.asp?pid=31 Thompson Wildlife Management Area]