Port Republic Battlefield Civil War Site—Trail Stop 1. Last Battle of Jackson's 1862 Valley Campaign.
You are standing on the "Coaling." By the Civil War this area was nearly devoid of trees, the timber having been used for the production of charcoal. This was the key Federal artillery position during the Battle of Port Republic.
Federal commander Brigadier General Erastus Tyler stretched his 3,000 infantry and 3 batteries of artillery in a line from a spur of the Blue RidgeMountains on your left, along the "Coaling" then ¾ mile to your right, to the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. It would prove a strong position.
On the early morning of June 9, 1862, Confederate Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, victorious the day before at Cross Keys, attacked the Federal line. His leading unit, the famous "Stonewall Brigade," was easily repulsed two times by a "galling fire of musketry and canister."
Following this reverse, the Federals on your right counter-attacked, pushing the Confederates back nearly ½ mile. At this point Jackson's position was precarious. Fortunately for him, Confederate units were now approaching the field.
Comments 0 comments