Cross Keys in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Slaughter of the 8th New York

"A Crash That Resounded Through the Woods"

— The Battle of Cross Keys (June 8, 1862) —

The Slaughter of the 8th New York Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jay Richardson, April 11, 2025

1. The Slaughter of the 8th New York Marker

Inscription.

The Slaughter of the 8th New York. "A Crash That Resounded Through the Woods". , Midday , The fence line you see in the distance is the site of the "Slaughter of the 8th New York," the decisive action during the Battle of Cross Keys., At the beginning of the battle, Confederate Gen. Isaac Trimble's troops manned the right end of the main southern line, a half mile to your right. But Trimble believed the fence topped ridgeline to your front was a stronger position, and marched his men forward to the fence; at the time, trees covered the ground in front of you, concealing Trimble's movement from Union eyes. Beyond the fence was open ground, providing an excellent field of fire., Meanwhile, Union commander Gen. John C. Fremont planned for his main attack to hit the Confederate right, not realizing that Trimble had moved that right much closer. Gen. Julius Stahel's brigade undertook the assault, but of Stahel's five regiments, only one, the 8th New York, made up largely of German-born immigrants, made the actual attack., The Federals neglected to put out skirmishers, so when they advanced into the open clover field north of the fence line, they were blind to what lay ahead. The Confederates waited until the attackers were only 40 yards away, then "rose swiftly on their feet. A sheet of fire ran along their line, followed by a crash that resounded through the woods." At point-blank range, the bullets tore into the Federals, with horrific effect. "The poor Germans fell all across each other in piles," recalled one Confederate., Over 250 of the attackers were killed, wounded, or captured. The survivors retreated in disorder, and Trimble followed up with aggressive counterattacks, pushing the Federals northward. Fremont, unnerved by the disaster here and Trimble's aggression, pulled his entire line back to their original positions., (map) , The Attack of the 8th New York Trail , . Stop 1 - Lying in Wait , . Stop 2 - The 8th New York Advances , . Stop 3 - Marching to Disaster , . Stop 4 - Death in the Clover , . Stop 5 - The Confederate Barrage , . Stop 6 - The Attack's Aftermath

Midday
The fence line you see in the distance is the site of the "Slaughter of the 8th New York," the decisive action during the Battle of Cross Keys.

At the beginning of the battle, Confederate Gen. Isaac Trimble's troops manned the right end of the main southern line, a half mile to your right. But Trimble believed the fence topped ridgeline to your front was a stronger position, and marched his men forward to the fence; at the time, trees covered the ground in front of you, concealing Trimble's movement from Union eyes. Beyond the fence was open ground, providing an excellent field of fire.

Meanwhile, Union commander Gen. John C. Fremont planned for his main attack to hit the Confederate right—not realizing that Trimble had moved that right much closer. Gen. Julius Stahel's brigade undertook the assault, but of Stahel's five regiments, only one, the 8th New York—made up largely of German-born immigrants—made the actual attack.

The Federals neglected to put out skirmishers, so when they advanced into the open clover field north of the fence line, they were blind to what lay ahead. The Confederates waited until the attackers were only 40 yards away, then "rose swiftly on their feet. A sheet of fire ran along their line, followed by a crash that resounded through the woods." At point-blank

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range, the bullets tore into the Federals, with horrific effect. "The poor Germans fell all across each other in piles," recalled one Confederate.

Over 250 of the attackers were killed, wounded, or captured. The survivors retreated in disorder, and Trimble followed up with aggressive counterattacks, pushing the Federals northward. Fremont, unnerved by the disaster here and Trimble's aggression, pulled his entire line back to their original positions.

(map)
The Attack of the 8th New York Trail
• Stop 1 - Lying in Wait
• Stop 2 - The 8th New York Advances
• Stop 3 - Marching to Disaster
• Stop 4 - Death in the Clover
• Stop 5 - The Confederate Barrage
• Stop 6 - The Attack's Aftermath

Erected 2025 by Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 8, 1862.

Location. 38° 20.884′ N, 78° 49.553′ W. Marker is in Cross Keys, Virginia, in Rockingham County. It is on Port Republic Road (Virginia Route 253) 0.1 miles north of Battlefield Road ( Route 679), on the right when traveling north. A small parking lot for this portion of the battlefield is located 500ft north of the

Photographed by Jay Richardson, April 11, 2025

2. The Slaughter of the 8th New York Marker

intersection of Port Republic Road and Battlefield Road on the right when traveling north. This marker is next to the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harrisonburg VA 22801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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 marker: Lying in Wait (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Confederate Barrage (about 800 feet away); The Attack's Aftermath (about 800 feet away); Cross Keys Battlefield (approx. 0.2 miles away); Death in the Clover (approx. 0.2 miles away); Marching to Disaster (approx. 0.2 miles away); The 8th New York Advances (approx. 0.2 miles away); Trimble Moves North (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 about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Battle of Cross Keys (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Battle of Cross Keys (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Battle of Cross Keys (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Cross Keys Battlefield Parking Lot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jay Richardson, April 11, 2025

3. Cross Keys Battlefield Parking Lot

Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2025, by Jay Richardson of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 12, 2025, by Jay Richardson of Winchester, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.