Cross Keys in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle of Cross Keys
“It was not in men to stand such fire as that.”
| — | 1862 Valley Campaign | — |
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 18, 2023
1. The Battle of Cross Keys Marker
The format of the marker has been updated while the text and content have remained the same.
Jackson took position at Port Republic, four miles east of you, to engage Shields, leaving Gen. Richard Ewell here at Cross Keys to hold back Fremont. Ewell posted his 5,000 men on a ridge overlooking Mill Creek, one mile to your right. The 15th Alabama Infantry regiment remained here at Union Church to give timely warning of Fremont’s approach.
Early on June 8, 1862, Fremont brushed aside the Alabamians. He posted 40 cannon in the fields to your front and began furiously shelling the Confederate position. Two hours later Fremont attacked, blindly throwing Gen. Julius Stahel’s brigade forward toward Ewell’s right. The 8th New York was slaughtered by Gen. Isaac R. Trimble’s Confederate brigade, which was sheltered behind a rail fence. Attacks against Ewell’s center and left achieved no better success.
Fremont withdrew here to the Keezletown Road. Ewell slipped away, joining Jackson on the banks of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River at Port Republic. The last battle of the 1862 Valley Campaign
this page online
Erected by Virginia 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 1864.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 21.488′ N, 78° 50.49′ W. Marker was in Cross Keys, Virginia, in Rockingham County. It was on Battlefield Road (Route 679) 0.1 miles south of Cross Keys Road (Virginia Route 276), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 5094 Battlefield Road, 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 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: Fighting in the Cemetery (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Cross Keys (here, next to this marker); Union Church (here, next to this marker); Cross Keys Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Cross Keys (within shouting distance of this marker); Milroy Moves Forward (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Cross Keys
Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, January 30, 2009
2. The Battle of Cross Keys Marker
The previous version of the marker.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Armies Brace for Battle (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by another at this location.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 18, 2023
3. The Battle of Cross Keys Marker
Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, January 30, 2009
4. The Battle of Cross Keys Marker seen with the modern Union Church in the background
The modern building sits on the original site of the Union Church that stood here at the time of the battle.
Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, January 30, 2009
5. Graves of Marylanders killed in the Battle of Harrisonburg
These graves are located in the cemetery across the road from the marker. They were killed in the action at Harrisonburg, which occured two days prior to the battle of Cross Keys.
Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, January 30, 2009
6. Map of the Battle of Cross Keys next to the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,135 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on August 20, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on November 19, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 2. submitted on February 17, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 3. submitted on November 19, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 17, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
