Civil War Sites in Saltville, Virginia
By mid-war, the salt works had become the primary source of salt for Confederate states. During 1864, four million bushels of salt were produced at the "Salt Capital of the Confederacy".
The salt works become a primary target of the Union army. On October 2, 1864, Union General Stephen Burbridge was defeated when he attacked Saltville. Although outnumbered, Confederate forces successfully defended the salt works. Two months later on December 20, 1864, Union General George Stonemans's forces overran Saltville's permanent defensive fortifications. Stoneman reported complete destruction of the salt works, however, production soon resumed. The war ended less than four months later.
Three sites in Saltville are on the Virginia Civil War Trails - the Battlefield Overlook, the Salt Park, and the King-Stuart House. Interpretive panels explain each site's significant role during the war.
At the Elizabeth Cemetery, visitors can see a Confederate cannon and the burial plots of General J.E.B. Stuart's family. The cemetery, which was part of the battlefield on October 2, 1864, was donated by and named for Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell, sister of Patrick Henry.
For more information on visiting the Town of Saltville, visit www.saltville.org