Evening star., 1911-06-11
BY HOWARD FISK.

HE question often is asked by
motorists contemplating trip,
How do YOU get to the Shen-
andoah Valley" That query Is
answered in these columns to-
day by a description of the various routes
leading from the National Capital. the
distances varying somewhat. according
to the route taken. In addition map
showing the different routes Is reproouc-
ed for the benefit OF motorists desirous
of taking a spin through the Shenandoah
valley. made famous by Gen. Sheridan's
ride during the civil war. In 1854 Gen
Earlv retired into the Shenandoah valley
which was guarded on all sides by Gen.
Philip H. Sheridan, In command OF the
Union army. IN September of that year
Sheridan defeated Early in the battle OF
Winchester In the following month Eariy
surprised the Union army at CEDAR Green,
about twenty miles southwest or VIII
chester, and defeated it while Gen. Sner-
idan was absent at Winchester. In the
afternoon Sheridan rejoined his de1eateu
army. rallied the men and defeated Early
driving him far up the valley. During
the campaien Sheridan laid waste the
whole Shenandoah valley, burning barns
and destroying crops and FARMING III,
elements, Over 1000 barns We're purheu.
make the valley so desolate that no Con
federate troops could operate In II. Inc
entire valley. in fact, is replete Win
points of historic interest, ana ihotoi is.s
from every section of the country oIten
take run over the fine macadam PIKE
when touring in this vicinity. Ihe Nanes
extends from Hagerstown, Md, 10 Stdui-
tcn Va. and along its route are soiie
of the wealthiest towns and counties III
this section of the country me scenery
is picturesque throughout the entire var
lev and is well worth the trip al any
season OF the year. whether 1t be spring,
summer, fall or winter.
x y X
The valley NAV be touched at three diff
ferent points namely, Winchester Va ;
Martinsburg. ". Va. and HaSerstoWH'
Nd The latter place is probably the pest
po;n. If the motorist desires 10 sweep
through the valley its entire length On
the other hand, those desiring to make
quick connection, might select Winches.er
or Martinsburg The route to Winsneste'
can be made either via Falls Church. va.
passing through Leesburg: via EocKvliie;
Md. also passing through Leesburg, ano
via Frederick Md. and Harpers Ferry,
". Va The connecting @ poins Na,.;ng at Ma the
Hagerstown pike at Boonsboro. Nd Inc
remaining connecting point IS Hagers.
town, Nd. w1ch is reached oy direct
run from Washington to that place, pass
ing through Frederick, Nd. en- route The
distance to the Shenandoah valley. touch
ing at Hagerstown. Nd. is 'J:a mics
via Martinsburg. SOL miles: to Mlncnes, =,
ter. via Falls Church and Eeesburg, St3
miles: to Winchester. via RocxFiile ana
Leesburg. SO miles. and the ionges.
route to Winchester, via Frederick and
Harpers Ferry. 97.5 miles.
The shortest route from the National
Capital touching the valley at Hagers-
town, TO7 miles. is over road consisting
Of hard pike the greater portion OF the
way. fine macauam read extenos
practically all the way from this city to
Gaithersburg, Nd. From there good
dirt road. mixed with some pike, extends
as far as the Monocacy river, where
into Frederick Another good, hard pike
extends from Frederick over the two
mountain ranges to Funkstown, from
which point there is another fine stretch
of macadam into Hagerstown.
Those desrous of touching the valley
pike at Ma-tinsburg, ". Va. go over the
same route on the Hagerstown run
as far as Eoonsboro Md, where the mo-
torist heads for Sharpsburg. Shepherds
town. and thence to Martinsburg. The
roads are in good shape. with several
miles of macadanl. and good time can be
made over this route. This distance is
Sol miles from the National CAPITAL
There are two routes via Leesburg to
Winchester and vile the distance Is
several miles shorter by going through
Falls Church. the road from this point TO
Lecsburg is so unfavorable for motoring
that motorists prefer to go via Rockville
and Whites Ferry, which is the longer
route OF the two. The route via Falls
Church is over the Aqueducr bridge and
turning to the first road to the right and
under the electric railway tracks On en-
tering Falls Church a sharp turn at
Rosslyr to the right IS made and the
road Is followed through CoLvn Run and
Dranesvile over a rough and rocky road,
Getested by every driver of a motor car
who ever went over it. especially IN an
endurance contest The road leads direct
ly into Leesburg, after which mountain
ranges are crossed which take the mo-
torist through the Clarks Gap to Hamil-
ton, Purceliv.lle, Round Hill, Bluemont