Near Rapidan in Culpeper County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Battle of Cedar Mountain

The First Blow

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 17, 2021

1. Battle of Cedar Mountain Marker

Inscription.

Battle of Cedar Mountain. The First Blow.

"As we came over the brow of the hill our men were fearfully mowed down, but not one faltered. … Our musketry was without any cessation, and theirs was the same. The balls came in perfect sheets around us, besides this, flank batteries played upon us with heavy shell." , Lt. Aron Bates, 102nd New York Infantry, USA, "Two mighty armies rush together … the smoke rises far above even us like indeed the smoke of a great furnace. The clash and roar of muskets and the thunder of the cannon … filled even the least sensitive with awe." , Pvt. Robert Miller, 14th Louisiana Infantry, CSA

, Preceded by clouds of skirmishers, Union Gen. Christopher C. Augur's eight regiments moved through this field, then planted in corn, under heavy fire. Deployed in two massive lines, one behind the other, they stretched from where you now stand across present-day Route 15 and into the fields to your left. Volleys ripped through their ranks as they came within range of the Confederate infantry. One Union soldier remembered the bullets cutting down the cornstalks "as with knives." The Federals pressed forward, trying to sweep their foes from the field with the bayonet. Each charge, there were as many as nine, was repulsed with severe casualties on both sides., The Confederate infantry wavered under the weight of the assault, and gunners collapsed from heat stroke and shell fire. Sensing the approaching crisis, Gen. Jubal A. Early galloped onto the scene and managed to steady the Confederate line. Augur's division withdrew after nearly an hour of fierce fighting. Grievously wounded, Augur himself had to be carried back on a stretcher., [Captions:] , The infantry in the center exchanged close-range volleys in an open field, one soldier described the two lines "fighting with nothing to protect them save the hand of God.", Augur's men advanced into fire from three directions. Confederates along the Crittenden Lane poured in musketry and canister from the front while riflemen in the woods on your right and from cannons on the slopes of Cedar Mountain on your left raked the Union flanks.

"As we came over the brow of the hill our men were fearfully mowed down, but not one faltered. … Our musketry was without any cessation, and theirs was the same. The balls came in perfect sheets around us, besides this, flank batteries played upon us with heavy shell." — Lt. Aron Bates, 102nd New York Infantry, USA

"Two mighty armies rush together … the smoke rises far above even us like indeed the smoke of a great furnace. The clash and roar of muskets and the thunder of the cannon … filled even the least sensitive with awe." — Pvt. Robert Miller, 14th Louisiana Infantry, CSA

Preceded by clouds of skirmishers, Union Gen. Christopher C. Augur's eight regiments moved through this field, then planted in corn, under heavy fire. Deployed in two massive lines, one behind the other, they stretched from where you now stand across present-day Route 15 and into the fields to your left. Volleys ripped through their ranks as they came within range of the Confederate infantry. One Union soldier remembered the bullets cutting down the cornstalks "as with knives." The Federals pressed forward, trying to sweep their foes from the field with the bayonet. Each charge—there were as many as nine—was repulsed with severe casualties on both sides.

The Confederate infantry wavered under

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the weight of the assault, and gunners collapsed from heat stroke and shell fire. Sensing the approaching crisis, Gen. Jubal A. Early galloped onto the scene and managed to steady the Confederate line. Augur's division withdrew after nearly an hour of fierce fighting. Grievously wounded, Augur himself had to be carried back on a stretcher.

[Captions:]
The infantry in the center exchanged close-range volleys in an open field—one soldier described the two lines "fighting with nothing to protect them save the hand of God."

Augur's men advanced into fire from three directions. Confederates along the Crittenden Lane poured in musketry and canister from the front while riflemen in the woods on your right and from cannons on the slopes of Cedar Mountain on your left raked the Union flanks.

Erected by Civil War Trust; 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 date for this entry is August 9, 1862.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 24.282′ N, 78° 3.847′ W. Marker was near Rapidan, Virginia,

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 17, 2021

2. Battle of Cedar Mountain Marker

in Culpeper County. Marker was at the intersection of North James Madison Highway (U.S. 15) and Dove Hill Road (Virginia Route 642), on the right when traveling south on North James Madison Highway. Marker is located at Stop 4 on the Cedar Mountain Battlefield Interpretive Trail. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Culpeper VA 22701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tenth Maine (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rapidan.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "Battle of Cedar Mountain".

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on October 22, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.