HOME

The Battle of Cedar Mountain

On the blazing hot afternoon of August 9, 1862 a few miles south of Culpeper, Virginia, Confederate Major General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson led his troops into battle against Union Major General Nathaniel Banks’ corps of the Army of Virginia. The five hour fight saw four Federal brigades surge across corn and wheat fields against three Confederate divisions formed along the road, fence lines, and in the woods.

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.

3,800 men were killed or wounded in the shadow of Cedar Mountain by the end of the day — the deadliest day in Culpeper’s history.

Through historic preservation and education efforts, Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield is working to ensure that this battle and the valor displayed by both armies will never be forgotten.

Please consider a donation in support of our preservation and education efforts. Your donation is tax deductible.
 

2020 event news

Due to concerns about COVID-19, we are postponing our Cedar Mountain Battlefield Park Day that was scheduled for April 4. Once a new date is selected, we'll share event details here and on our Facebook page. We sincerely hope that you'll be able to join us for a great day of clean-up and stewardship projects!

 

Our annual living history event will be expanded this year with battle reenactments! Mark your calendar for the weekend of August 7-9, 2020!
In addition to the planned battle reenactments on Cedar Mountain's preserved ground, activities for all ages will bring to life the experiences of Civil War soldiers at the battle and civilians who suffered the challenges and deprivations of war on their very doorstep. We look forward to seeing you in August!

For Reenactors:

Rear Rank Productions, the Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield and the Valley Guards are honored to present, on the original ground, Slaughter on the Mountain, the reenactment of the Battle of Cedar Mountain, on August 7-9, 2020 near Culpeper, Virginia.

We are looking forward to this groundbreaking event, which marks the first time since 1987 that a large-scale reenactment depicting unit-specific actions has been held to commemorate the 1862 battle on the actual ground where it occurred. All proceeds go to the preservation and interpretation of the Cedar Mountain Battlefield.

As at previous Rear Rank Production events, Slaughter on the Mountain will feature both campaign and garrison camping areas, even-handed event rule enforcement, proper force ratios and unit-specific scenarios. Access reenactor information and registration