Thanks to a non-profit the battlefield at Fischer's Hill (aka Ramseur's Hill) has recently received a well deserved upgrade. These include a parking lot, walking trail, and "Civil War Trails" signs explaining the flow of the battle and the background of key commanders. There's still work to be done, but it's a good start.
The parking lot is small but it's been almost empty every time I've ever visited it. There are sign posts at the start of the trail, but be sure to go to your right and up the hill after you pass thru the gateway. The trail (dirt in some places, gravel in others) goes in a loop, passing a still-standing tree which was used as a look-out post by a Confederate soldier who tried to warn his commander of a large Union force bearing down on their flank. Overall, the 'hike' takes less than an hour.
For background, the battle was fought on September 21/22, 1864 during the final Union push into the Shenandoah. Still reeling from a very recent defeat at Winchester, the Confederates retreated to Fischer's Hill, near the northern mouth of the Shenandoah Valley. This location was nicknamed the "Gibraltar" of the Shenandoah because its commanding heights made it an ideal defensive position.
Unfortunately for them, Confederates were so badly outnumbered they were unable to properly defend the position. Seeing the enemy line didn't reach the mountains to the western side of the valley, the Union devised a plan to sneak around the Confederate left flank at night. The maneuver was successful, and two Union divisions - one commanded by future President Rutherford B Hayes - surprised the Confederates and helped collapse their battle line. General Early and much of his army got away, but was thereafter unable to oppose Phil Sheridan's 'burning' of the Shenandoah.
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/fishers-hill/fishers-hill-history-articles/battle-of-fishers-hill.html read more