The battle of Cedar Mountain
On the blazing hot afternoon of August 9, 1862 a few miles south of Culpeper, Virginia, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson led his troops into battle against Nathaniel Banks’ corps of John Pope’s new Army of Virginia. Over 3,000 men were killed or wounded that afternoon and evening in the shadow of Cedar Mountain during the deadliest day in Culpeper’s history. Culpeper’s native son, Major General A. P. Hill, sealed the Confederate victory when his division re-formed Jackson’s crumbled line and led the charge that turned the tide of the battle.
For Hill and the other Culpeper men engaged, this was a personal battle to liberate their homes, friends, and family from the Union occupation. Today, local citizens are coming together to ensure that this battle and the valor displayed by both armies will never be forgotten.
Cedar Mountain Battlefield has a variety of year-round experiences available for visitors of all ages. Visitors may choose to do a self-guided tour by following interpretative signage to gain an understanding of how events unfolded on the site during the conflict on August 9, 1862. Guided tours are available for individuals or groups with prior notice.
Consider becoming a member of Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield. Your membership will help support our efforts to preserve the battlefield and highlight its place in local and Civil War history. One of the ways we do this is by hosting a living history event each August that commemorates the battle's anniversary. As part of that event, we recognize our members' ancestors who fought in the Battle of Cedar Mountain. In a moving ceremony, ancestors' names are read and a bell is rung to celebrate their lives.
The beauty of this historic property is well captured in this page's header image, taken by photographer Buddy Secor. The battlefield site is well preserved and hosts reenactments and living history events such as the yearly commemoration of the battle each August. Cedar Mountain Battlefield also serves as a haven for photographers, bird watchers, and others who appreciate nature and quiet spots for reflection.