Lynnwood in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Port Republic
Last Battle of Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 25, 2007
1. Port Republic Marker
Port Republic Battlefield Civil War Site—Trail Stop 1
You are standing on the “Coaling.” By the Civil War this area was nearly devoid of trees, the timber having been used for the production of charcoal. This was the key Federal artillery position during the Battle of Port Republic.
Federal commander Brigadier General Erastus Tyler stretched his 3,000 infantry and 3 batteries of artillery in a line from a spur of the Blue Ridge Mountains on your left, along the “Coaling” then ¾ mile to your right, to the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. It would prove a strong position.
On the early morning of June 9, 1862, Confederate Major General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, victorious the day before at Cross Keys, attacked the Federal line. His leading unit, the famous “Stonewall Brigade,” was easily repulsed two times by a “galling fire of musketry and canister.”
Following this reverse, the Federals on your right counter-attacked, pushing the Confederates back nearly ½ mile. At this point Jackson’s position was precarious. Fortunately for him, Confederate units were now approaching the field.
Erected by APCWS - Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites, Inc. (Marker Number 1.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic
this page online
Location. 38° 18.086′ N, 78° 46.027′ W. Marker is in Lynnwood, Virginia, in Rockingham County. Marker is at the intersection of Ore Bank Road (Virginia Route 708) and Mapleton Lane (County Route 967) on Ore Bank Road. It is just off U.S. 340 (East Side Highway). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Republic VA 24471, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Port Republic Battlefield (here, next to this marker); Missing Church Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Port Republic (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Port Republic (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Port Republic (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Point (approx. 2.3 miles away); North River Bridge (approx. 2.3 miles away); Palmer Lot at Middle Ford (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lynnwood.
More about this marker. In addition to the map, marker reproduces two photographs with these captions, “This photograph, taken around the turn of the century, shows the ‘Coaling’ before it became overgrown with trees and brush. ‘Mapleton,’ the house in the background, was built
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 25, 2007
2. Closeup of Map on Marker
“Confederate attacks against the Federal right and the ‘Coaling’ failed, and a counter-attack by the Union right pushed Jackson’s men back at least ½ mile. Taylor’s Louisiana Brigade came to Jackson’s support and launched the first of its assaults on the ‘Coaling’.”
Photographer’s note: Without a guide, the location of Trail Stops 2 and 3 are not immediately apparent.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 25, 2007
3. Port Republic Marker
Trail starts at this intersection, and this is Stop 1. Trail continues up hill to the left and behind the photographer to Stop 4.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 11, 2015
4. Port Republic Markers
Mapleton can be glimpsed in the gap in the tree line.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 15, 2019
5. Mapleton
This view is from the Ore Bank Road. It is a private residence. No trespassing. The road up to the house, Mapleton Lane, is narrow and without guide rails, and offers no turnaround at the closed gate.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 25, 2007
6. Replacement for the Lewiston House
This view is from the “Coaling.” East Side Highway (U.S. 340) is in the foreground. “During the battle, the initial Federal line ran through the Lewiston property all the way to the river, and fighting swirled around the house much of the morning.”
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 27, 2009
7. Port Republic Marker
Port Republic marker sits just to the front of this marker at the trail-head
Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,007 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on August 8, 2023. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 12, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on September 14, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 5. submitted on September 22, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 6. submitted on October 12, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 7. submitted on July 22, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
