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

Battle of Cedar Mountain

Terror in the Woods

Photographed By Benjamin Harrison Allen, August 9, 2022

1. Battle of Cedar Mountain Marker

Inscription.

Battle of Cedar Mountain. Terror in the Woods. When Gen. Charles Winder fell, Gen. William B. Taliaferro assumed command of his division, which held the left half of the Confederate line. After conducting a reconnaissance, Taliaferro noticed the dangerously exposed flank of Garnett's brigade., Taliaferro sent the 10th Virginia to Garnett to extend the line, but Union Gen. Samuel Crawford's troops struck while the 10th Virginia moved into position. Union soldiers overwhelmed Garnett and continued their advance to the south, crashing into the rear of Confederates along the Culpeper Road then engaging Ohioans in the cornfield to their front., Chaos reigned and men fought hand-to-hand in these woods, with no quarter given. One Confederate described the fighting as "mixed up like chickens and ducks." The Confederate line collapsed., Crawford's men pressed the retreating Confederates across the Culpeper Road and through the woods across Crittenden Lane pushing back brigades and batteries alike., Fortunately for Jackson, the timely arrival of Col. Lawrence Branch's North Carolina brigade stabilized the line, advanced over this ground, and cleared the woods of exhausted Federals. Those who could not retreat became prisoners. The fighting in and around these woods produced over 1,200 casualties, one-third of the battle's total cost., "We had scarsely [sic] gotten to the edge of the wood before the enemy opened upon us, from them and to avoid being taken pisoner we again fell back..." , Capt. Charles Davidson, 1st Virginia Infantry Battalion, CSA, "The slaughter was fearful. The field officers of the regiments which had driven the enemy back were killed, wounded, or prisoners. Most of the company officers had fallen by the side of their men, and the color guards had been shot down ..." , Gen. Samuel Crawford, USA, (captions) , Union Gen. Samuel Crawford, a veteran of Fort Sumter, led a brigade in combat for the first time at Cedar Mountain. Courtesy Library of Congress, Fierce combat raged around you as soldiers struggled for control of the Confederate flank.

When Gen. Charles Winder fell, Gen. William B. Taliaferro assumed command of his division, which held the left half of the Confederate line. After conducting a reconnaissance, Taliaferro noticed the dangerously exposed flank of Garnett's brigade.

Taliaferro sent the 10th Virginia to Garnett to extend the line, but Union Gen. Samuel Crawford's troops struck while the 10th Virginia moved into position. Union soldiers overwhelmed Garnett and continued their advance to the south, crashing into the rear of Confederates along the Culpeper Road then engaging Ohioans in the cornfield to their front.

Chaos reigned and men fought hand-to-hand in these woods, with no quarter given. One Confederate described the fighting as "mixed up like chickens and ducks." The Confederate line collapsed.

Crawford's men pressed the retreating Confederates across the Culpeper Road and through the woods across Crittenden Lane pushing back brigades and batteries alike.

Fortunately for Jackson, the timely arrival of Col. Lawrence Branch's North Carolina brigade stabilized the line, advanced over this ground, and cleared the woods of exhausted Federals. Those who could not retreat became prisoners. The fighting in and around these woods produced over 1,200 casualties, one-third of the battle's total cost.

"We
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had scarsely [sic] gotten to the edge of the wood before the enemy opened upon us, from them and to avoid being taken pisoner we again fell back..." —Capt. Charles Davidson, 1st Virginia Infantry Battalion, CSA

"The slaughter was fearful. The field officers of the regiments which had driven the enemy back were killed, wounded, or prisoners. Most of the company officers had fallen by the side of their men, and the color guards had been shot down ..." —Gen. Samuel Crawford, USA

(captions)
Union Gen. Samuel Crawford, a veteran of Fort Sumter, led a brigade in combat for the first time at Cedar Mountain. Courtesy Library of Congress

Fierce combat raged around you as soldiers struggled for control of the Confederate flank.

Erected 2022 by American Battlefield Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is August 9, 1862.

Location. 38° 24.367′ N, 78° 3.95′ W. Marker is in Rapidan, Virginia, in Culpeper County. Marker can be reached from General Winder Road (Virginia Route 657) 0.3 miles north of North James Madison Highway (U.S. 15), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9465 General Winder Rd, Rapidan VA 22733, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (about 700 feet away); Tenth Maine (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Cedar Mountain (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Cedar Mountain (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hand-to-Hand Fighting (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rapidan.

Also see . . . Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield. (Submitted on August 12, 2022.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2022, by Benjamin Harrison Allen of Amissville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 27 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on August 11, 2022, by Benjamin Harrison Allen of Amissville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.