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New Market Battlefield
NEW MARKET (15 May 1864)
County: Shenandoah, VA
General Location: Vicinity of town of New Market, near
intersection of I-
81 and rte. 211. Battle lines extended from Shenandoahon west
to Smith
Creek on east. Action extended from Shirley's Hill in the south
to Rude's
Hill in the north
Size of Study/Core Areas: 5,611/2,261 acres
GIS Integrity of Study/Core Areas: 74/67 percent; Fair/Fair
Field Assessment of Study Area Integrity: Poor
USGS Quadrants: New Market
Campaign: Lynchburg Campaign (Sigel)
Principal Commanders: [c] Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge; [u]
Maj. Gen.
Franz Sigel
Forces Engaged: [c] Two infantry brigades (Echols and Wharton),
VMI cadet battalion, Imboden's cavalry brigade, and several
batteries, totaling about 5,335, 4,087 of which were engaged;
[u] One infantry division under Sullivan (two brigades: Moor and
Thoburn), cavalry division under Stahel (two brigades: Tibbits
and Wynkoop), and five batteries of artillery, otaling 8,940 of
which 6,275 were engaged. Casualties: [c] 540 (50k/480w/10m);
[u] 841 (96k/520w/225m)
Significance: As part of his 1864 spring offensive, Lt. Gen.
Ulysses S. Grant ordered Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel to advance south
along the Valley Pike to destroy the railroad at Staunton and
then to move on the rail complex at Lynchburg. Although
outnumbered, Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge, former senator and
vice president of the US, was able to concentrate scattered CS
forces to meet Sigel's army near New Market. Sigel was
decisively defeated on 15 May 1864, and the Valley remained in
Confederate hands until Maj. Gen. David Hunter renewed the US
offensive on 26 May. The battle of New Market is noted for the
participation of a battalion of VMI cadets, who distinguished
themselves in combat beside veteran troops.
Description of the Battle
Phase One. Cavalry Actions: On 14 May 1864, Union cavalry under
Quinn (mainly 1st NY Cav Lincoln) advanced south on the Valley
Pike from Mt. Jackson, driving CS cavalry (18VA) under Imboden
across Meem's Bottom and beyond Rude's Hill, where defense
stiffened. Reinforced by a brigade of infantry under Moor, and
Wynkoop's cavalry brigade, US forces again advanced with Imboden
withdrawing to New Market. CS cavalry, fighting dismounted
supported Imboden and established a line south of New Market
behind Shirley's Hill. The CS line stretched thinly from
Shirley's Hill to Smith Creek. Federals continued to advance,
launching two attacks about 2000 and 2200 hours, both of which
were repulsed. After dark, Imboden withdrew farther to the
south, after successfully retarding Sigel's advance.
Phase Two. CS Advance: After midnight, Breckinridge brought most
of his command north along the Valley Pike from near Lacey
Spring. By 0600 hours, 15 May, Breckinridge reached the
Shenandoah County line. He halted near here to reconnoiter and
about 0800 hours sent his cavalry and artillery forward to
harass the US force under Moor at New Market. CS artillery
unlimbered and fired from Shirley's Hill. Moor established his
line along the old River Road with artillery on Manor's Hill and
in St. Matthews (currently the Lutheran) cemetery. The rest of
Sigel's infantry was spread out along the pike as far north as
Edinburg. Brig. Gen. Julius Stahel arrived about 0830 and
ordered Moor to withdraw some of his troops to Bushong's Hill.
While Breckinridge waited on the rest of his infantry to reach
the field, US guns at the cemetery and CS guns on Shirley's Hill
exchanged fire.
Phase Three. US Deployment/ Initial CS Attacks: About 1100
hours, Sigel arrived on the battlefield and established
temporary headquarters at the Rice House. After reviewing Moor's
dispositions he ordered his line withdrawn to a stronger
position on Bushong's Hill, stretching between a bend in the
North Fork and Smith's Creek. Sigel brought up 14 guns to
support his position, leaving DuPont's battery at Rude's Hill
awaiting orders. He placed cavalry on his left flank between the
Valley Pike and Smith's Creek. Breckinridge deployed on both
sides of the Pike and advanced his infantry in force, driving
back US skirmishers. Imboden crossed Smith's Creek with his
cavalry and attempted to outflank Sigel by moving north along
the east bank. By 1230, Sigel had withdrawn entirely from the
town of New Market. The 18CT and 123OH resisted the CS advance
on Manor's Hill before joining the main battle line at Bushong's.
Phase Four. Bushong's Hill: About 1400 hours, Breckinridge
launched an all-out assault against the US position on Bushong's
Hill, using the 26VA, 30VA, 51VA, and 62VA. The 62nd Virginia
suffered more than 50 percent casualties. When the CS attack
stalled under heavy small arms and
artillery fire, the VMI battalion was ordered to fill the gap in
the line near the Bushong House. About 1445 hours, the US
cavalry under Stahel attacked up the Valley Pike, riding into
massed artillery which Breckinridge had shifted east from
Shirley's Hill. Stahel was repulsed with heavy casualties. About
1500 hours, Sigel directed a confused counterattack, which was
soon repulsed. CS sharpshooters began picking off Union gunners
on Bushong's Hill north of the farm, and Sigel ordered the
batteries withdrawn. When the artillery fire slackened,
Breckinridge ordered a general advance and swept the Union line
off Bushong's Hill. In this assault, the VMI cadets captured a
gun and many men of the 34MA. To the east near the Valley Pike,
elements of the 34MA and 54PA continued to resist, covering the
Union retreat. These regiments were eventually driven back, and
the Union forces began a general retreat.
Phase Five. Rear Guard Actions: On his own initiative, Capt.
Henry DuPont (US) brought up his battery to cover the retreat.
He unlimbered first near the Harshburger House, then withdrew
his pieces rearward en echelon as the Confederates advanced.
Sigel fell back to his supports at the Cedar Grove Dunker Church
and cemetery and organized a holding action, while his confused
troops reorganized. DuPont's artillery continued to slow the
pursuit. About 1630 hours, Breckinridge ordered a halt to
regroup confronting the US line at Cedar Grove Church. Imboden's
cavalry returned
from their fruitless effort to get in rear of Sigel's army to
burn the Meem's Bottom Bridge across the North Fork (the creeks
were swollen with rainfall). An artillery duel continued until
about 1700 hours. Breckinridge was unable to organize another
attack and, by 1900 hours, the Union army escaped across the
North Fork and burned the bridge. Sigel retreated down the
Valley Pike rapidly, leaving his badly wounded at Mt. Jackson.
He arrived at Strasburg on the following day.
Current Condition of the Battlefield
The Virginia Military Institute owns battlefield land and
operates a museum and visitor center. New Market is one of two
Valley battlefields that currently has facilities for visitors,
the other being Cedar Creek.
The New Market Battlefield Historical Park was established by
VMI in 1967. The Hall of Valor was constructed on the
battlefield and opened in 1970. The park contains about 280
acres: 24 acres of Shirley's Hill (recently acquired), about 40
acres east of I- 81 around the Pennsylvania monument, and about
215 acres at the Hall of Valor parcel adjacent to the steep
bluffs overlooking the North Fork Shenandoah River. The park
protects and preserves about ten percent of the core area of the
New Market battlefield, but this includes several areas of the
most severe infantry fighting. The cavalry field, east of US 11
to Smith's Creek, remains farmland. The village of New Market is
listed in the National Register as a historic district.
In spite a degree of the protection afforded by the battlefield
park, the field survey integrity of the battlefield was rated
low, due to the fragmented nature of the park and the prominent
positioning of I-81, which is the most obtrusive feature. I-81
bisects the battlefield and battlefield park, and interchange 67
of I-81 empties at the base of Manor's and Shirley's Hill. The
park is limited in its ability to interpret its separate parcels
at Shirley's Hill, Bushong's Hill, and at
the Pennsylvania monument.
Two monuments were erected by veterans on the New Market
battlefield and these are contained within the VMI battlefield
park. The Missouri (Woodson) monument near the Bushong House
commemorates the role of Co. A, 1st Missouri cavalry that fought
in the battle. The second monument commemorates the role of the
54th Regiment Pennsylvania infantry, located directly east of
Bushong's Hill but separated from the main park by I-81.
North on US 11 between New Market and the Pennsylvania Monument
parcel there is light commercial and residential development,
although this strip development is less dense than that south of
town. New construction has occurred on Manor's Hill on ground
associated with the opening phases of the battle along the
access road to the battlefield park (rte. 619) north of rte.
211. This includes a large Day's Inn Motel and the New Market
Battlefield Military Museum. The exhibits of the Military Museum
cover all American wars with special emphasis on the Civil War.
Monuments on the grounds were erected by the museum.
The vicinity of Rude's Hill, Meem's Bottom, Mt. Airy, and the
Cedar Grove Church is prime agricultural land that preserves the
rural-historic integrity of this area. Meem's Bottom and Rude's
Hill were the scene of many armed encounters during the war
because these features formed a "choke point" on the Valley
Turnpike. Confederate cavalry defended the North Fork Shenandoah
River crossing and used Rude's Hill as an observation post. The
well preserved estate, Mt. Airy, served as a way station for
Confederate staff officers and partisans, including Henry Kyd
Douglas and Harry Gilmor. Although not included directly in the
battlefield study area, Meem's Bottom and Mt. Airy should be
considered supporting resources.
Perception of Threats to Battlefield
The battlefield park is divided into at least four separate
parcels. The I-81 interchange has spawned a commercial strip
that physically and visually separates the northern and southern
portions of the main field of action. The interstate itself
divides the battlefield east and west. The view from Shirley's
Hill to the Lutheran (St. Matthews) Cemetery looks directly over
a commercial strip and the large signs that are typical along
interstates. A large motel complex has been constructed between
St. Matthews Cemetery and the interstate highway. Two parcels of
land at the base of Shirley's Hill along rte. 211 (about 5
acres) are zoned commercial. New construction at these sites
would further degrade the important view from Shirley's Hill.
New residential construction north of town along US 11 in the
vicinity of the Pennsylvania monument has continued the process
of fragmentation.
(Top)
Cross Keys Battlefield
CROSS KEYS (8 June 1862)
County: Rockingham, VA
General Location: South of rtes. 659 and 276, crossroads of
Cross Keys,
including the village of Port Republic
Size of Study/Core Areas: 5,450/2,153 acres
GIS Integrity of Study/Core Areas: 94/94 percent; Good/Good
Field Assessment of Study Area Integrity: Good
USGS Quadrants: Harrisonburg, Grottoes
Campaign: Jackson's Valley Campaign
Principal Commanders: [c] Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, Brig.
Gen. Richard
Ewell, Brig. Gen. Isaac Trimble; [u] Maj. Gen. John C. Fremont
Forces Engaged: [c] Three of four brigades of Ewell's division
(Trimble,
Elzey, Steuart) and Patton's brigade, about 8,500 engaged; [u]
Blenker's
infantry division (three brigades), three attached brigades (Cluseret,
Milroy, Schenck), Bayard's cavalry, and nine batteries, about
11,500 men
Total Casualties: [c] 287 (42k/230w/15m); [u] 664
(114k/443w/127m)
Significance: The battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic were
the decisive victories of Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall"
Jackson's 1862 Valley Campaign. At Cross Keys, one of Jackson's
divisions beat back the army of Maj. Gen. John C. Fremont
approaching from Harrisonburg, while elements of a second
division held back the vanguard of Brig. Gen. James Shields'
division advancing toward Port Republic on the Luray Road.
During the night of 8-9 June, Jackson withdrew from in front of
Fremont and at dawn attacked two of Shields's four brigades
(commanded by Brig. Gen. E. B. Tyler), precipitating the battle
of Port Republic. Fremont reached the vicinity too late to aid
Tyler, who was badly beaten. With the retreat of both US armies,
Jackson was freed to join the CS army commanded by General
Robert E. Lee in the Seven Days' Battles against McClellan's
army before Richmond.
In addition to its importance in Jackson's overall strategy of
defeating two separated armies in detail, Cross Keys provides
interesting lessons at the tactical level. By deft maneuver and
clever use of the terrain, Confederate Brig. Gen. Isaac Trimble
shattered a larger US force and stalled Fremont's attack. The
ground where this tactical action occurred is pristine and
enables understanding of this phase of the conflict.
Description of the Battle
Prelude: The hamlet of Port Republic lies on a neck of land
between the North and South rivers at the point where they
conjoin. On 6-7 June 1862, the army of Maj. Gen. Thomas J.
Jackson, numbering about 16,000, bivouacked north of Port
Republic, Ewell's division along the banks of Mill Creek near
Goods Mill, and Winder's division on the north bank of North
River near the bridge. One regiment (15AL) was left to block the
roads at Union Church. Jackson's headquarters were in Madison
Hall, the home of Dr. Kemper, at Port Republic. The army trains
were parked nearby.
Two US columns converged on Jackson's position. The army of Maj.
Gen. John C. Fremont, about 15,000 strong, moved south on the
Valley Pike and reached the vicinity of Harrisonburg on 6 June.
The division of General Shields, about 10,000 strong, advanced
south from Front Royal in the Luray (Page) Valley, but was badly
strung out because of the muddy Luray Road. At Port Republic,
Jackson possessed the last intact bridge on the North River and
the fords on the South River by which Fremont and Shields could
unite. Jackson determined to check Fremont's advance at Mill
Creek, while meeting Shields on the east bank of the North Fork.
A CS signal station on Massanutten monitored US progress.
Phase One. Skirmishing at Cross Keys Tavern: Late in the day on
7 June, Fremont's advance guard encountered Jackson's pickets
near Cross Keys Tavern. A few shots were fired and the US
cavalry fell back onto their main body, which was approaching.
Darkness prevented further developments.
Phase Two. Surprise Raid on Port Republic: Colonel Samuel
Carroll at the head of a regiment of cavalry, supported by a
battery and a brigade of infantry, was sent ahead by Shields to
secure the North River Bridge at Port Republic. Shortly after
dawn (8 June), Carroll scattered the CS pickets, forded the
South River, and dashed into Port Republic. Jackson and his
staff raced down the main street from headquarters and across
the bridge, narrowly eluding capture (two members of his staff
were captured). Carroll deployed one gun aimed at the bridge and
brought up another. Jackson directed the defense, ordering
Poague's battery to unlimber on the north bank. Carrington
brought up a gun from the vicinity of Madison Hall to rake the
Main St. The 37VA Infantry charged across the bridge to drive
the US cavalry out of the town. Carroll retreated in confusion,
losing his two guns, before his infantry could come within
range. Three CS batteries unlimbered on the bluffs east of Port
Republic on the north bank of the South Fork and fired on the
retreating Federals. Carroll retired several miles north on the
Luray Road. Jackson stationed Taliaferro's brigade in Port
Republic and positioned the Stonewall Brigade near Bogota with
the artillery to prevent any further surprises.
Phase Three. US Deployment: Meanwhile, Fr‚mont, with Cluseret's
brigade in the lead, renewed his advance from the vicinity of
Harrisonburg. After driving away the CS skirmishers, Cluseret
reached and deployed his right flank along the Keezletown Road
near Union Church. One by one, the US brigades came into line:
Schenck on Cluseret's right, Milroy on his left, and Stahel on
the far left, his left flank near Congers Creek. Bohlen's and
Koltes' brigades were held in reserve near the center of the
line. A regiment of US cavalry moved south on the road to secure
the right flank. Batteries were brought to the front.
Phase Four. CS Deployment: Gen. Richard Ewell deployed his
infantry division (CS) behind Mill Creek, Trimble's brigade on
the right across the Port Republic Road, Elzey's in the center
along the high bluffs. Ewell concentrated his artillery (4
batteries) at the center of the line. As US troops deployed
along Keezletown Road, Trimble advanced his brigade a quarter of
a mile to Victory Hill and deployed Courtenay's (Latimer's)
battery on a hill to his left supported by the 21NC Regiment.
The 15AL, which had been skirmishing near Union Church, rejoined
the brigade. Trimble held his regiments out of sight behind the
crest of the hill.
Phase Five. US Attack and Repulse: Fremont determined to advance
his battle line with the evident intention of developing the CS
position, assumed to be behind Mill Creek. This maneuver
required an elaborate right wheel. Stahel's brigade on the far
left had the farthest distance to cover and advanced first.
Milroy moved forward on Stahel's right and rear. US batteries
were advanced with infantry lines south of Keezletown Road and
engaged CS batteries. Stahel appeared oblivious to Trimble's
advanced position. His battle line passed down into the valley,
crossed the run, and began climbing Victory Hill. At a distance
of "sixty paces," Trimble's infantry stood up and delivered a
devastating volley. Stahel's brigade recoiled in confusion with
heavy casualties. The Union brigade regrouped on the height
opposite Victory Hill but made no effort to renew their assault.
Phase Six. Trimble's Flanking Attacks: Stahel did not renew his
attack but brought up a battery (Buell's) to support his
position. Trimble moved the 15AL by the right flank and up a
ravine to get on the battery's left. In the meantime, Ewell sent
two regiments (13VA and 25VA) along the ridge to Trimble's
right, attracting a severe fire from the US battery. With a
shout, the 15AL emerged from their ravine and began to climb the
hill toward the battery, precipitating a melee. Trimble advanced
his other two regiments (16MS on left and 21GA on right) from
their position on Victory Hill, forcing back the US line. The US
battery limbered hastily and withdrew, saving its guns. A US
regiment counter-attacked briefly striking the left flank of the
16MS but was forced back in desperate fighting.
Phase Seven. US Withdrawal to Keezletown Road: Trimble continued
advancing up the ravine on the CS right, outflanking successive
US positions. In the meantime, Milroy advanced on Stahel's right
supported by artillery. Milroy's line came within rifle-musket
range of the CS center behind Mill Creek and opened fire. US
batteries continued to engage CS batteries in an artillery duel.
Bohlen advanced on the far US left to stiffen Stahel's crumbling
defense. Milroy's left flank was endangered by Stahel's retreat,
and Fremont ordered him to withdraw. Jackson brought Taylor's
brigade forward to support Ewell if needed, but Taylor remained
in reserve on the Port Republic Road near the Dunker Church.
Phase Eight. US Attacks on the Right: Seemingly paralyzed by the
decimation of Stahel's brigade on his left, Fremont was unable
to mount a coordinated attack. He ordered Schenck's brigade
forward to find the CS left flank south of Union Church. Ewell
reinforced his left with elements of Elzey's brigade. Severe
firing erupted along the line but quickly died down. CS
brigadiers Elzey and Steuart were wounded in this exchange.
Fremont withdrew his force to Keezletown Road, placing his
artillery on the heights to his rear (Oak Ridge). Artillery
firing continued. At dusk, Trimble pushed his battle line
forward to within a quarter mile of the US position,
anticipating a night assault. CS accounts describe the US
soldiers going into camp, lighting fires and making coffee.
Ewell ordered Trimble to withdraw without making the attack.
Current Condition of the Battlefield
The battlefield of Cross Keys is largely intact, and the
landscape retains a marked similarity to its Civil War-era
appearance. Land use is primarily agricultural with some
residential housing along the main roads. New houses on large
lots have been built along the CS defensive line behind Mill
(Black Anchor) Creek. Several historic structures in the
vicinity remain: the Union Church (Ruritan Hall) and cemetery,
an antebellum house adjacent to the cemetery, and the old Cross
Keys Tavern behind the farm bureau co-op, an old house across
from the farm bureau, and the Widow Haugh House adjacent to
Lee-Jackson parcel. The Widow Haugh House resident points out
repaired damage to the roof and interior walls of the house
caused by a US solid shot.
The Lee-Jackson Foundation owns 100 acres on Victory Hill, scene
of Trimble's maneuvers and some of the most severe fighting. The
road network appears to have been altered somewhat but historic
maps are not accurate enough to allow reconstruction. The
landscape is very hilly and cut with deep ravines making further
assessment of small-scale features difficult without gaining
access to perhaps a dozen private farms.
The town of Port Republic is listed in the National Register as
a historic district. The UDC has erected a small monument near
the intersection of rtes. 679 and 659. Circle Tour markers were
erected along rte. 276 south of rte. 659. One small section of
the original road bed of the Port Republic Road may be seen just
south of Victory Hill School along rte. 659. Several old
structures remain in the hamlet of Goods Mill, which played a
peripheral role in the battle.
Perception of Threats to Battlefield
Developmental pressures from the vicinity of Harrisonburg have
spread south into the vicinity of Cross Keys in recent years,
although the study area has not yet been impacted. Several large
parcels of land are or will soon be for sale. Although the
market is currently soft (1991), there is some fear, according
to a local landowner, that these tracts will be bought by
developers and subdivided. A county planning official stated
that the dramatic growth of the City of Harrisonburg during the
1980s has slowed, thus easing developmental pressures south of
the city. The growth rate for the City of Harrisonburg is
expected to stabilize for the 1990s. Several very large poultry
sheds have been built in the immediate vicinity, and although
these are not technically "permanent," they can quickly
overwhelm a viewshed if prominently placed.
(Top)
Port Republic Battlefield
PORT REPUBLIC (9 June 1862)
County: Rockingham, VA
General Location: N. of rte. 659, S. of rte. 708, between
South Fork
Shenandoahand state rte. 340. Village of Port Republic
Size of Study/Core Areas: 4,936/2,145 acres
GIS Integrity of Study/Core Areas: 94/98 percent; Good/Good
Field Assessment of Study Area Integrity: Good
USGS Quadrants: Grottoes
Campaign: Jackson's Valley Campaign
Principal Commanders: [c] Maj. Gen. T. J. "Stonewall"
Jackson; [u] Brig.
Gen. E. B. Tyler
Forces Engaged: [c] Jackson's and Ewell's divisions, about
6,000 engaged;
[u] Two brigades of Shields's division (Tyler and Carroll),
about 3,500
Casualties: [c] 816 (88k/535w/34m); [u] 1,002
(67k/361w/574m&c)
Significance: The battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic
were the culmination of "Stonewall" Jackson's Valley
Campaign in which Jackson maneuvered to defeat superior
Union forces by surprise, swift marching, and concentration
of force. In May and June, Jackson's Army of the Valley,
which never exceeded 17,000 men, inflicted more than 7,000
casualties on his opponents at a cost of only 2,500 of his
own men, and tied up Union forces three times its strength.
Jackson's victories infused new hope in the Confederate
cause and contributed to the defeat of McClellan's campaign
against Richmond. The battle of Port Republic was a fierce
contest between two equally determined foes and was the most
costly battle fought by the Army of the Valley during its
campaign. At its conclusion, Union forces withdrew down the
Valley, freeing Jackson's command to go to the aid of the CS
army facing Maj. Gen. George McClellan's army in front of
Richmond.
Description of the Battle
Phase One. Dispositions of the Armies: During the night of
8-9 June 1862, Winder's "Stonewall" Brigade was withdrawn
from its forward position near Bogota and rejoined Jackson's
division at Port Republic. CS pioneers built a bridge of
wagons across the South River at Port Republic. Winder's
brigade was assigned the task of spearheading the assault
against US forces south of the river. Trimble's brigade and
elements of Patton's were left to delay Fremont's forces at
Cross Keys, while the rest of Ewell's division marched to
Port Republic to be in position to support Winder's attack.
Phase Two. US Deployment: Brig. Gen. E. B. Tyler's brigade
joined Col. Samuel Carroll's brigade north of Lewiston on
the Luray Road. The rest of Shields's division was strung
out along the muddy roads back to Luray. General Tyler, in
command on the field, advanced at dawn of 9 June to the
vicinity of Lewiston. He anchored the left of his line on a
battery positioned on the Lewiston Coaling, extending his
infantry west along Lewiston Lane (present day rte. 708) to
the South Fork near the site of Lewis' Mill. The right and
center were supported by artillery (16 guns in all).
Phase Three. CS Advance on the Left and Center: Winder's
brigade crossed the river by 0500 hours and deployed to
attack east across the bottomland. Winder sent two regiments
(2VA and 4VA) into the woods to flank the US line and
assault the Coaling. When the main CS battle line advanced,
it came under heavy fire from the US artillery and was soon
pinned down. CS batteries were brought forward onto the
plain but were outgunned and forced to seek safer positions.
Ewell's brigades were hurried forward to cross the river.
Seeing the strength of the US artillery at the Coaling,
Jackson sent Taylor's brigade to the right into the woods to
support the flanking column that was attempting to advance
through the thick underbrush.
Phase Four. US Counterattack: Winder's brigade renewed its
assault on the US right and center, taking heavy casualties.
General Tyler moved two regiments from the Coaling to his
right and launched a counterattack, driving CS forces back
nearly half a mile. While this was occurring, the first CS
regiments probed the defenses of the Coaling but were
repulsed.
Phase Five. Fighting at the Coaling: Finding resistance more
fierce than anticipated, Jackson ordered the last of Ewell's
forces still north of Port Republic to cross the rivers and
burn the North Fork bridge. These reinforcements began to
reach Winder, strengthening his line and stopping the US
counterattack. Taylor's brigade reached a position in the
woods across from the Coaling and launched a fierce attack,
which carried the hill, capturing five guns. Tyler
immediately responded with a counterattack, using his
reserves. These regiments, in hand-to- hand fighting, retook
the position. Taylor shifted a regiment to the far right to
outflank the US battle line. The CS attack again surged
forward to capture the Coaling. Five captured guns were
turned against the rest of the Union line. With the loss of
the Coaling, the Union position along Lewiston Lane became
untenable, and Tyler ordered a withdrawal about 1030 hours.
Jackson ordered a general advance.
Phase Six. Tyler's Retreat/Fremont's Advance: Taliaferro's
fresh CS brigade arrived from Port Republic and pressed the
retreating Federals for several miles north along the Luray
Road, taking several hundred prisoners. The Confederate army
was left in possession of the field. Shortly after noon,
Fremont's army began to deploy on the north bank of the
South Fork, too late to aid Tyler's defeated command.
Fremont deployed artillery on the high bluffs to harass the
CS forces. Jackson gradually withdrew along a narrow road
through the woods and concentrated his army in the vicinity
of Mt. Vernon Furnace. Jackson expected Fremont to cross the
river and attack him on the following day, but during the
night Fremont withdrew toward Harrisonburg.
Current Condition of the Battlefield
The setting of Port Republic battlefield, along the South
Fork Shenandoah River at the base of the forested Blue
Ridge, is very scenic. From some locations the base of
Massanutten Mountain can be seen to the north. The core of
the battlefield of Port Republic extends from the village of
Port Republic east to rte. 708, which approximately traces
the main US battle line. The old Luray-Port Republic Road
followed rte. 955 north from the village until joining
present day US 340. (US 340 south of this intersection is
not historic.) The ford over South River where Jackson built
his "wagon bridge" is located just west of the confluence of
the South and North rivers and can be reached by a dirt road
off rte. 955. The North River bridge was at the end of rte.
1601. Fremont's batteries were deployed along the north bank
of the South Fork, south of Lawyer's Road, in the battle's
last phase.
The main CS assaults of General Winder were carried out on
the bottomland between rtes. 955, 708, and the river. The
land remains agricultural and retains a strong similarity to
its Civil War appearance, except for the railroad which was
not there at the time of the battle (built 1892). The
railroad artificially divides the battlefield but does not
particularly intrude upon most viewsheds.
The Coaling, which was the key to the US defense, is located
just northeast of the intersection of US 340 and rte. 708.
The Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites (APCWS)
owns about 8 acres of the Coaling, acquired from the
Lee-Jackson Foundation. An 1880s house sits atop the Coaling
where US batteries were deployed. Access to this property is
encouraged but unmarked.
The village of Port Republic is listed as a historic
district in the National Register. Several historic
structures remain in the area, including Lynnwood, Bogota,
Frank Kemper House in Port Republic, and others. The Dr.
Kemper house at the west edge of town, which served as
Jackson's headquarters, is no longer extant. The ruin of Mt.
Vernon Furnace in the area where Jackson's army bivouacked
after the battle is situated in Shenandoah National Park
along rte. 659. A driving tour of Port Republic could be
laid out to view the battlefield with stops at the village,
at the railroad (rte. 708), and the Coaling. Because of the
terrain, Port Republic can be interpreted from public roads.
The portion of the Coaling preserved by APCWS allows an
expanded interpretation of the battle. The areas of major
infantry fighting along the river are in private hands, but
the logic of the respective positions can be understood for
the most part from public roads.
Perception of Threats to the Battlefield:
The bottomland south of the South Fork in the core area of
the battlefield is owned by two or three large landowners.
Several years ago the county denied one of the landowners a
petition to establish a gravel quarry, partly because of
concerns for maintaining battlefield integrity. Continuing
integrity of the landscape is dependent upon landowners
continuing to farm their properties.
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