Ashby's Gap

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Ashby's Gap is a wind gap (or pass) in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia leading from northeastern Virginia to the lower Shenandoah Valley.

The earliest known use was as part of a trail of the Native Americans, and it later became part of a series of roadways, eventually becoming the crossing of the Blue Ridge for U.S. Route 50.

During the American Civil War, Ashby's Gap was often used by the Confederate Army and Union Army in the several valley campaigns. In June 1863, Confederate Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry held this gap to prevent Union Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker from interfering with Robert E. Lee's army as it marched north toward Pennsylvania in the Gettysburg Campaign.

[edit] See also

• U.S. Route 50 in Virginia for additional historical information.