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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.

Support Us

Through historic preservation and education efforts, Cedar Mountain Battlefield Foundation 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.

Membership
Interested in joining as a member? Your membership helps to support preservation, stewardship, and education efforts. You may register by using the online form.

Ancestor Recognition
We would love to hear about your connection to the Cedar Mountain Battlefield. You may share your story by using the online form.

Volunteering
We are always looking for knowledgeable and talented volunteers to help with public programming, staff the Battlefield Visitor's Center, and provide guided battlefield tours. Email [email protected] for more information.

Cedar Mountain Battlefield Living History Weekend August 9th-11th

Culpeper County's bloodiest battle, the Battle of Cedar Mountain, will be commemorated the weekend of 9th-11th August on the anniversary of the 1862 clash between Confederate forces under legendary Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson and Federal forces under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks.

The anniversary weekend is organized and hosted by the Cedar Mountain Battlefield Foundation and will include a lecture by noted Thomas J. "Stonewall"  Jackson scholar Frank O'Reilly, a day-long Civil War children's camp, artillery demonstrations, real-time battlefield tour by former National Park Service historian Greg Mertz, memorial service for those who fought, craft demonstration, and more! The full schedule of events and registration links for the special events and tours can be found here.

Cedar Mountain Battlefield Information Center Now Open

Come visit the redesigned information center including a relic room with original artifacts from Cedar Mountain Battlefield vicinity. We are open Saturdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sundays from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Guided Battlefield Tours

Join one of the Cedar Mountain Battlefield guides on a tour to explore terrain largely unchanged since the Civil War. Participants gain insight into the chronology of the battle, learn stories of the soldiers and civilians impacted, and visit battlefield landmarks. The tour typically takes about 45 minutes and starts at the Visitor's Center located at 9465 General Winder Road, Rapidan, VA 22733.

There is no fee for the tour but donations are welcome and help support battlefield preservation, stewardship, and education efforts. Visit Battlefield Tours to learn more and register for the tour.

Visitors to Cedar Mountain

Visiting On Your Own

The battlefield is open from dawn to dusk. Visit Cedar Mountain for additional information and to view the Battlefield Map.