George Washington Kurtz

George Washington Kurtz, c. 1861-1865

Library of Congress

Quick Facts

Significance:

Confederate Army officer

Place of Birth:

Winchester, Virginia

Date of Birth:

March 6, 1838

Place of Death:

Winchester, Virginia

Date of Death:

November 14, 1926

Place of Burial:

Winchester, Virginia

Cemetery Name:

Mount Hebron Cemetery

Capt. George Washington Kurtz led a Winchester militia. Local militias often enforced strict slave codes and hunted freedom seekers before the Civil War. He was on duty for John Brown’s execution in 1859 after the raid on Harpers Ferry. Kurtz’s militia became the Confederate 5th Virginia Infantry.