Port Republic in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Port Republic Battlefield
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Visiting the Battlefields
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The Battlefields Today
| — | Port Republic River Plains Trail | — |
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 29, 2026
1. Port Republic Battlefield / Visiting the Battlefields / The Battlefields Today Marker
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Port Republic Battlefield
“The fighting in and around the battery was hand to hand… ’Twas claw for claw.” — Confederate Gen. Richard Taylor, Commander of the Louisiana Brigade
1862 Valley Campaign
In the spring of 1862, in the second year of the Civil War, a massive Union army was advancing on the Confederate capital of Richmond. By unleashing a vigorous offensive in the Shenandoah Valley, Confederate high command sought to draw Federal troops away from Richmond.
After a tactical setback at First Kernstown (March 23), Jackson defeated Union forces at McDowell (May 8), Front Royal (May 23), and First Winchester (May 25). With his army narrowly escaping a trap near Strasburg, Confederate Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson withdrew south, followed by two Union forces, one under Gen. John Fremont on the west side of Massanutten Mountain, the other under Gen. James Shields on the east. Reaching Harrisonburg—where Jackson’s cavalry commander, Gen. Turner Ashby, was killed in a small action on June 6—Jackson marched toward Port Republic and its strategic river crossings, leaving Gen. Richard Ewell’s division
this page online
The Battle of Port Republic (June 9, 1862)
As the battle began, Tyler’s Federals were in a strong defensive position, stretching along Lewiston Lane (modern-day Lynnwood Road), right behind you, and anchored on “The Coaling,” the high ground that commanded the battlefield and was topped by Union artillery. The first Confederate assaults were repulsed with heavy casualties, as Union artillery fire from the Coaling tore into their ranks. It was clear that victory depended on whoever controlled the Coaling.
Jackson turned to the Louisiana Brigade, the “shock troops” of his army. After a ferocious series of charges and counter-charges, during which both sides took and retook possession of the heights, additional reinforcements allowed the southern troops to hold the high ground for good. Those reinforcements also bolstered the Confederate attacks across the river plain, and the stubborn Federal defenders were finally driven from the field in disarray.
The Union forces withdrew north, and Jackson, having accomplished his mission, moved east and joined Gen. Robert E. Lee in front of Richmond. Jackson’s
Photographed by Jay Richardson, August 22, 2026
2. Port Republic Battlefield (panel 1)
Battle Summary
Date: June 9, 1862
Union commander: Gen. Erastus Tyler
Confederate commander: Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson
Forces Engaged
3,500 Union - 6,000 Confederate
Estimated Casualties
1,002 Union - 816 Confederate
Result
Confederate victory
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Visiting the Battlefields
Museums and Visitor Centers
A. Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center
The Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center welcomes visitors to Harrisonburg. Inside you will find experienced Travel Specialists, a state-certified Visitor Center, Valley Turnpike Museum, Virginia Craftsmen Showroom, Rocktown Gift Shoppe, Heritage Bakery and Café, and a Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Civil War Orientation Center. Other amenities include information and brochures on lodging, dining and entertainment options, as well as concierge maps.
212 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Open daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
540-432-8935
B. Mill Creek Country Store
Serving as the battlefield information center, the store is located
Photographed by Jay Richardson, August 22, 2026
3. Visiting the Battlefields (panel 2)
7961 Trimble Road, Port Republic, VA 24471
Open Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Phone appears to be 540-249-7113.
C. Port Republic Museum
The museum is housed in the historic Frank Kemper House, which was built c. 1835–1845. It was used both as a residence and as an inn and tavern for travelers, primarily for river boatmen. During the Civil War, Confederate Gen. Turner Ashby’s body was brought to the house after he was killed near Harrisonburg on June 6, 1862. The museum features a remarkable array of artifacts and outstanding exhibits that bring history to life. The house is owned by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
8691 Water Street, Port Republic, VA 24471
Call for
Photographed by Jay Richardson, August 22, 2026
4. The Battlefields Today (panel 3)
Phone appears to be 540-327-4277.
Battlefield Sites
1. Harrisonburg Battlefield / Turner Ashby Monument
Though mostly lost to development, a preserved section of the battlefield tells the story of the June 6, 1862, action as Union forces pursued Stonewall Jackson’s army east of Harrisonburg. The grounds feature a short walking trail with interpretive markers and a monument to Confederate Col. Turner Ashby on the site where he was mortally wounded during a skirmish with Union forces. The site is owned by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and preserved by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
1164 Turner Ashby Lane, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Open daily, dawn to dusk.
2. Union Church
The scene of some of the initial fighting during the battle, Union Church was a prominent feature on the battlefield. It was here that the 15th Alabama initially engaged the Union army as it deployed onto the field. While the original building fell into disrepair after the war, a new church was later constructed. The current building was removed after a fire in 2001. The site has interpretive markers about the church and battle
Photographed by Jay Richardson, August 22, 2026
5. Visiting the Battlefields panel
5964 Battlefield Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Open daily, dawn to dusk.
3. Mill Creek Ridge
Visit the ground of the June 8, 1862, penultimate clash of Stonewall Jackson’s Valley Campaign, where Confederate troops under Gen. Richard Ewell defeated Union Gen. John C. Fremont. Here, you can learn about the battle from the Confederate defensive position and learn about other sites to visit on the battlefield. The site features a trail, Maryland Monument, and interpretive markers. The site is preserved by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
4232 Bowtie Drive, Port Republic, VA 24471.
Open daily, dawn to dusk.
4. 8th New York Site
One of the most famous actions of the battle is the “Slaughter of the 8th New York,” which occurred on this site. Visitors can walk the trail and see the field from both the Union and Confederate perspectives for this ambush. The site has parking, a mowed grass trail, and interpretive markers. The grounds are owned by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
Located along Port Republic Road, just 1.5 miles south of the intersection of Cross Keys Road. Open daily, dawn to dusk.
5. Trimble’s Ravine
Confederate Gen. Isaac Trimble attacked across these fields as he drove the Union armies’ right flank back and disrupted their plans for an attack on the Confederates’ other flank. From this location, visitors can view the fields of this attack and see interpretive markers along a mowed grass trail. The site has parking and is owned by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
6812 Goods Mill Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Open daily, dawn to dusk.
6. Port Republic
The small village of Port Republic sits along the North and South Rivers, which merge to form the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson was headquartered here in the lead-up to the battles. On June 8, 1862, he narrowly escaped capture on the streets of Port Republic. The town has interpretive markers about its history, as well as the action that took place here in the lead-up to the Battle of Port Republic.
8691 Water Street, Port Republic, VA 24471.
7. The Coaling — You Are Here
The Battle of Port Republic was a ferocious, hard-fought Confederate victory that brought a triumphant end to Stonewall Jackson’s famed Valley Campaign. Visit the battlefield at the key location, the “Coaling.” It was here that the battle was decided. Explore the site with interpretive markers and trails that cover the battle and view the open plains along the South Fork of the Shenandoah River where much of the fighting occurred. Much of the “Coaling” and surrounding land has been preserved by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
7120 Ore Bank Road, Port Republic, VA 24471
Open daily, dawn to dusk.
To explore more of Harrisonburg’s Civil War history, download the Civil War Harrisonburg and Staunton App via the QR code or dial into the tour at 540-755-4782.
This is a place where men died. As you walk across these fields, remember the fallen who lost their lives on this sacred ground. Over 500 men were killed in the fighting at Harrisonburg, Cross Keys, and Port Republic.
Today this ground is a monument and memorial to those who never returned home, who left, in the words of the famous wartime poem and song, "the vacant chair" by the fireside.
Regulations
• The battlefield is always monitored. Regulations and guidelines include:
Battlefield properties are open to the public from dawn to dusk
• Pedestrian traffic only. Bicycles, motorized and non-motorized vehicles are prohibited on this trail. (This does not include provisions of access to the physically disabled)
• All cultural resources are protected by Virginia law. Removal of any cultural resources is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Possession of a metal detector on preserved battlefield land is prohibited.
• No hunting
• No littering
• No fires
• No camping
• No alcoholic beverages
• Pets must always be on a leash under the control of the owner
• Persons engaged in any activities on land owned by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation will hold the Foundation harmless for any injury or other damages that may occur while visiting the property.
To report suspicious activity, call 540-740-4545. For an emergency, call 911.
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The Battlefields Today
Explore. Learn. Remember.
Today the Cross Keys and Port Republic battlefields retain much of the agricultural appearance they had during the battles fought here in June of 1862. While the City of Harrisonburg has continued to expand toward these sites and development pressures have mounted, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation and its partners have worked to preserve over 1,500 acres across both locations. The Battlefields Foundation and its Members continue the work to preserve these battlefields, open additional park space, expand interpretation and enhance the visitor experience.
You, too, can help preserve and interpret the battlefields of the Shenandoah Valley.
Become a Member today!
(caption) Port Republic Battlefield
Erected 2026 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° 18.088′ N, 78° 46.068′ W. Marker is in Port Republic, Virginia, in Rockingham County. It is at the intersection of South East Side Highway (U.S. 340) and Ore Bank Road, on the right when traveling north on South East Side Highway. This marker marks the trailhead for the River Plains Trail on the Port Republic Battlefield. Parking is available at the intersection of Port Republic Road and Ore Bank Road, where a small footbridge leads to the trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7051 Ore Bank Rd, 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 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: Explore. Learn. Remember. (here, next to this marker); The Road to Battle (a few steps from this marker); The Coaling (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Houses (within shouting distance of this marker); Port Republic Battlefield (within shouting distance of this marker); Missing Church Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); First Attack on the Coaling (within shouting distance of this marker); The Tigers Attack (within shouting distance of this marker). 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).
Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2026, by Jay Richardson of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on August 31, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 27, 2026, by Jay Richardson of Winchester, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
