Port Republic in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Road to Battle

"I Will Be With You in the Morning."

— The Battle of Port Republic (June 9, 1862) —

The Road to Battle Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike McKeown, July 3, 2026

1. The Road to Battle Marker

Inscription.

The Road to Battle. "I Will Be With You in the Morning.". In early June 1862, towards the end of Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign, Jackson's army was pursued south through the Shenandoah Valley by nwo Union forces, one under Gen. John C. Fremont on the west of Massanutten Mountain, the other under Gen. James Shields to the east. Reaching Harrisonburg and learning that Shields was bogged down near Conrad's Store (modern-day Elkron), Jackson named towards Port Republic and its vital river crossings, leaving Ewell's division to block Fremont at Cross Keys., On the moming of June 8, Jackson's headquarters and his invaluable supply wagons were in Port Republic, along with a small number of troops. Most of his men were camped a half mile northeast, reachable only by a covered bridge over the rain-swollen North River. But Jackson apparently felt there was little risk, knowing Shields was 20 miles north., But while the bulk of Shields's force was still far north, a 400-man advance column under Col. Samuel S. Carroll was fast approaching the village. Learning of the relatively unprotected Confederate wagons, Carroll dashed into Port Republic. The Confederates were taken by surprise., Jackson narrowly escaped, as stout resistance and timely reinforcements saved the wagons and drove Carroll's force out of town., Carroll's men retreated in disarray until they reached this area and met Gen. Erastus Tyler's brigade, whom Shields had sent to reinforce Carroll. Tyler assumed command of the combined force and decided to remain here, relying on a message from Shields stating "I will be with you in the morning.", During the day on June 8, Ewell repulsed Fremont at Cross Keys. That night (June 8-9), Jackson's staff expected Jackson would slip out of the trap" between Fremont and Shields, but Jackson decided to stay and attack Tyler's force the next day. On the morning of June 9, Tyler was atop the Coaling to your right when he received a conflicting message from Shields. He was scribbling a reply when the first Confederates appeared and the first shots rang out at 6 a.m. The Battle of Port Republic had begun., (caption) Union Gen. James Shields

In early June 1862, towards the end of Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign, Jackson's army was pursued south through the Shenandoah Valley by nwo Union forces, one under Gen. John C. Fremont on the west of Massanutten Mountain, the other under Gen. James Shields to the east. Reaching Harrisonburg and learning that Shields was bogged down near Conrad's Store (modern-day Elkron), Jackson named towards Port Republic and its vital river crossings, leaving Ewell's division to block Fremont at Cross Keys.

On the moming of June 8, Jackson's headquarters and his invaluable supply wagons were in Port Republic, along with a small number of troops. Most of his men were camped a half mile northeast, reachable only by a covered bridge over the rain-swollen North River. But Jackson apparently felt there was little risk, knowing Shields was 20 miles north.

But while the bulk of Shields's force was still far north, a 400-man advance column under Col. Samuel S. Carroll was fast approaching the village. Learning of the relatively unprotected Confederate wagons, Carroll dashed into Port Republic. The Confederates were

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taken by surprise.

Jackson narrowly escaped, as stout resistance and timely reinforcements saved the wagons and drove Carroll's force out of town.

Carroll's men retreated in disarray until they reached this area and met Gen. Erastus Tyler's brigade, whom Shields had sent to reinforce Carroll. Tyler assumed command of the combined force and decided to remain here, relying on a message from Shields stating "I will be with you in the morning."

During the day on June 8, Ewell repulsed Fremont at Cross Keys. That night (June 8-9), Jackson's staff expected Jackson would slip out of the trap" between Fremont and Shields, but Jackson decided to stay and attack Tyler's force the next day. On the morning of June 9, Tyler was atop the Coaling to your right when he received a conflicting message from Shields. He was scribbling a reply when the first Confederates appeared and the first shots rang out at 6 a.m. The Battle of Port Republic had begun.

(caption) Union Gen. James Shields

Erected 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 9, 1862.

Location. 38° 18.09′ N,

Samuel S. Carroll image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

2. Samuel S. Carroll

78° 46.062′ W. Marker is in Port Republic, Virginia, in Rockingham County. It is on Ore Bank Road east of South East Side Highway (U.S. 340), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Republic VA 24471, 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: The Coaling (within shouting distance of this marker); Port Republic Battlefield (within shouting distance of this marker); First Attack on the Coaling (within shouting distance of this marker); Missing Church Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); The Tigers Attack

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Louisianans Advance (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Port Republic (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Union Retreat (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Republic.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Port Republic (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. Shenandoah Battlefields Foundation. (Submitted on July 3, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland.)
2. Port Republic (American Battlefield Trust). (Submitted on July 3, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 3, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.