The Battle of Cedar Mountain

The Artillery Duel

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 22, 2007

1. The Battle of Cedar Mountain Marker

Inscription. The road to Culpeper ran on the other side of the fence to your right. A line of Confederate cannon angled from this point back to the Crittenden farm lane, currently the paved road along the edge of the field to your right. A second grouping of guns was posted on the shelf of Cedar Mountain and more artillery pieces clustered on a small knoll mid-way between here and the shelf. About 3:30 p.m., a duel erupted with Federal gunners about 2/3 mile away across the field. The barrage continued for nearly two hours. As the cannon roared, more and more gray-clad infantry arrived upon the field, but Jackson and his subordinate Gen. Charles Winder showed more interest in assisting the cannoneers than positioning the rest of the army for battle. While shouting instructions to artillery private Edward A. Moore, Winder was mortally wounded when "a shell passed through his side and arm, tearing them fearfully." Gen. William B. Taliaferro, who succeeded Winder, did not like the placement of the troops he now commanded. Before he could correct the deficiencies in his line, the Federals attacked.

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Erected by Civil War Preservation Trust
Friends of Fredericksburg Area Battlefields.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 24.338′ N, 78° 4.069′ W. Marker was near Culpeper, Virginia, in Culpeper County. Marker could be reached from the intersection of General Winder Road (County Route 657) and James Madison Highway (U.S. 15), on the right when traveling west. Located at the first trail stop for the Civil War Preservation Trust's Cedar Mountain Battlefield walking trail. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Culpeper VA 22701, United States of America.

We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named The Battle of Cedar Mountain (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);

Civil War Preservation Trust image. Click for more information.

2. Civil War Preservation Trust

a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (about 300 feet away); Hand-to-Hand Fighting (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Culpeper.

More about this marker. A drawing in the background of the marker shows "Captain Joseph Knap's Battery E of the Pennsylvania Light Artillery duel with Confederate artillery along the Crittenden Lane." A map shows the tactical situation on August 9, 1862 between 3:30 and 5 p.m. as "Union and Confederate artillery duel while the Confederate infantry arrives on the battlefield."

Also see . . .
1. Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield. (Submitted on October 9, 2021.)
2. Friends of the Fredericksburg Area Battlefields

Map of the Battle at the Phase Described on the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 22, 2007

3. Map of the Battle at the Phase Described on the Marker

. (Submitted on October 9, 2021.)
3. Cedar Mountain (Slaughter's Mountain). American Battlefield Trust (Submitted on October 9, 2021.)

First Trail Stop at Cedar Mountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 22, 2007

4. First Trail Stop at Cedar Mountain

Looking East Across the Confederate Battle Line at Cedar Mountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 22, 2007

5. Looking East Across the Confederate Battle Line at Cedar Mountain

Placed diagonally from this point back to the Crittenden Farm Lane (Present Day General Winder Road, CR 657), which ran from the tree line on the right of this photo towards Cedar Mountain in the distant center. The small knoll mentioned on the marker, also called "The Cedars" in some accounts, where other Confederate artillery was posted, is in the bright green winter wheat field seen in the distance before Cedar Mountain. The "Shelf of Cedar Mountain," where additional Confederate artillery under General Ewell was positioned, is in the dark green stand of trees on the lower slopes of Cedar Mountain.

Between the marker location (where this photo was taken) and "The Cedars" was Confederate General Jubal Early's brigade. Taliaferro's Brigade (of Winder's Division) later filled in the gap between Early and the artillery position to the right of this photo.

Looking Northeast to the Federal Lines image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 22, 2007

6. Looking Northeast to the Federal Lines

Some of the Federal artillery positions are visible from the marker location. Near the modern day grain silo in the distant center, runs Mitchell's Station Road (modern day CR 649) where Knap's, Roener's, Robinson's, and McGilvery's batteries were posted. The high ground near the silo is approximately McGilvery's position. The Federal artillery was at a disadvantage in elevation and was somewhat flanked by the Confederate artillery on the shelf of Cedar Mountain (seen on the right). The range between the artillery positions was around 1000 yards.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,118 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on October 16, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on December 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on March 30, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on December 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on January 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.