Port Republic Battlefield Civil War Site—Trail Stop 4. Struggle for the "Coaling"
Federal commander Tyler placed at least 3 artillery pieces on this high part of the "Coaling," and lined 3 more guns down the slope to the road on your right. All morning fire from this artillery played havoc with Confederate forces in front of you.
With Jackson's men facing a desperate situation on the plain to your right front, Brigadier General Richard Taylor'sLouisiana brigade moved against the Union artillery position here on the "Coaling."
Taylor's men took the pivotal hilltop, lost it, retook it, then lost it again. The Federal defense was stubborn: Unionartillerymen fought with their gun implements, and in spirited counter-attacks, Federalinfantrymen from Ohio drove Confederates off the slopes.
Finally, on a third surge, the Louisianians, with the help of two Virginia infantry regiments, won this key to the battlefield, and this time held it. With it the Confederates captured five artillery pieces and forced the Federals to retire from the field. It had been a costly day—Federal casualtiesnumbered more than 1100, while the Confederates lost about 800—but Jackson's victory at Port Republic proved the culmination of a brilliant campaign.
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