Battle of Cross Keys

Walker’s Flank Attack

— 1862 Valley Campaign —

Battle of Cross Keys Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, January 30, 2009

1. Battle of Cross Keys Marker

Inscription. After repulsing the initial Union attack, Confederate Gen. Isaac R. Trimble’s brigade heavily engaged two brigades of Union Gen. Louis Blenker’s division near here on June 8, 1862.

During the afternoon fighting, Col. James A. Walker’s demi-brigade consisting of the 13th and 25th Virginia infantry regiments reinforced Trimble. Walker marched his men along the Goods Mill Road on the Confederate right flank in an effort to move around the Union forces facing Trimble. Walker’s first attempt to attack the Federal flank was disrupted when he marched into a forward movement by Trimble against Blenker.

Walker’s second attempt placed his regiments at a post and rail fence facing three Federal regiments and a New York artillery battery on rising ground. The fence provided little cover in the face of canister fire. Walker’s commander suffered 47 casualties before withdrawing to the cover of some woods.

A short time later, the Federal attack ended when the senior Union artillery commander, on this part of the field a captain, feared for the safety of his guns and ordered them withdrawn over the objections of field-grade and general

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officers. The infantry regiments, lacking artillery support, were then forced to retreat. Caption: Col. James A. Walker ended the war as a brigadier general commanding the famous Stonewall Brigade.

Erected 2003 by Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1863.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 21.201′ N, 78° 49.049′ W. Marker was in Cross Keys, Virginia, in Rockingham County. It could be reached from Goods Mill Road (County Route 708), on the right when traveling south. This is the second of three markers found at this site (Goods Mill Interpretive Area/Owen D. Graves Memorial Cross Keys Battlefield Wayside). Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Harrisonburg VA 22801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it was

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 18, 2023

2. Battle of Cross Keys Marker

Marker has discolored and suffered weather damage.

in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Walker's Flank Attack (here, next to this marker); The Battle Dies Out (within shouting distance of this marker); The Attack on Buell's Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); The 8th New York Advances (approx. 0.4 miles away); Marching to Disaster (approx. 0.4 miles away); Death in the Clover (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Attack's Aftermath (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Confederate Barrage (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cross Keys.

Other markers no longer nearby. Battle of Cross Keys (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Battle of Cross Keys (was about 300 feet away, measured in a

View toward the forward position of the 13th & 25th Va. Infantry image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, January 30, 2009

3. View toward the forward position of the 13th & 25th Va. Infantry

direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. In the lower center is a portrait of Col. James A. Walker who, ended the war as a brigadier general commanding the famous Stonewall Brigade. On the right is a map depicting the tactical situation between 3:30 and 5 p.m.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by another at this location.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,266 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on August 12, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on February 17, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 2. submitted on October 18, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 3. submitted on February 17, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.