Cross Keys in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Cross Keys Battlefield
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 29, 2026
1. Cross Keys Battlefield Marker
"The musketry was heard in volleys, telling of fearful havoc, slaughter and bloodshed."
- Charles H. Webb
New York Times correspondent at the Battle of Cross Keys
The 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 towards Port Republic and its strategic river crossings, leaving Gen. Richard Ewell's division to block Fremont
this page online
The Battle of Cross Keys (June 8, 1862)
When Fremont's Federals arrived at Cross Keys on the morning of June 8, Ewell placed the Confederate defenders on the high ground of Mill Creek Ridge. The fighting began with skirmishing at Union Church and a thunderous two-hour artillery duel.
Fremont then ordered an assault on the Confederate right, but only a single regiment - the 8th New York Infantry - made the attack. The ill-fated Federals walked into a point-blank ambush by Gen. Isaac Trimble's Confederate brigade, where volleys of fire decimated the attackers in what became known as "The Slaughter of the 8th New York." Trimble followed up with aggressive counterattacks that threatened the Union flank. Although Union Gen. Robert Milroy made promising progress in an attack on Mill Creek Ridge, the unnerved Fremont ordered a general withdrawal. Darkness soon ended the fighting, with the Confederates holding the field and the two Union armies still separated.
Jackson was now free to focus his attention on Shields' Union force at Port Republic the next day, where a hard-fought Confederate victory would bring a triumphant
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 29, 2026
2. Cross Keys Battlefield Marker
The Union Church marker is on the right and the Fighting in the Cemetery marker is facing the opposite direction on the left.
June 8, 1862
Union Commander - Gen. John Fremont
Confederate Commander - Gen. Richard Ewell
Forces Engaged
11,500 Union - 5,800 Confederate
Estimated Casualties
664 Union - 287 Confederate
Result
Confederate Victory
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!
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.
(Captions):
Watercolor illustration of the attack of the 8th New York by eyewitness Pvt. Henry Berckhoff of the 8th New York.
Gilder Lehman Collection.
Gen. John Fremont
Gen. Richard Ewell
Cross Keys Battlefield
Visit.
Explore.
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 Cafι, 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 - 9am to 5pm
540-432-8935
(B) Mill Creek Country Store
Serving as the battlefield information center, the store is located on the Cross Keys Battlefield and has battlefield souvenirs and visitor information on the battles of Cross Keys, Port Republic, Harrisonburg, and Piedmont. It also provides made-to-order sandwiches, baked goods, and snacks as well as unique and interesting artwork and antiques. The grounds around the store have interpretive markers about the battle action and orientation signs to help navigate the surrounding battlefields.
7061 Trimble Road Port Republic, VA 24471
Open Monday - Friday 6am to 7pm
Saturday - 8am to 5pm
540-249-7133
(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 Hours
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 YOU ARE HERE!
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 renovated after a fire in 2003. The site has interpretative markers about the church and battle action. The site is maintained by the Cross Keys Mill Creek Ruritan Club and is owned by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
5094 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 perspective for this ambush. The site has parking with mowed grass trails 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 Confederate's 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 8th, 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
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
Erected 2026 by Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 38° 21.488′ N, 78° 50.494′ W. Marker is in Cross Keys, Virginia, in Rockingham County. It is on Battlefield Road (Virginia Route 679) south of Cross Keys Road ( Route 276), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5094 Battlefield Road, 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 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: Union Church (here, next to this marker); Fighting in the Cemetery (here, next to this marker); Cross Keys Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Cross Keys (within shouting distance of this marker); Milroy Moves Forward (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Cross Keys (approx. 0.3 miles away); The 15th Alabama Falls Back (approx. 0.9 miles away); Maryland at Cross Keys (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cross Keys.
Other markers no longer nearby. Battle of Cross Keys (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named The Battle of Cross Keys (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Armies Brace for Battle (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Battle of Cross Keys (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced another at this location.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 141 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
