Port Republic in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Port Republic Battlefield
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 29, 2026
1. Port Republic Battlefield Marker
The fighting in and around the battery was hand to hand Twas claw for claw.
Confederate Gen. Richard Taylor
Commander of the Louisiana Brigade
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 at Cross
this page online
The Battle of Port Republic (June 9, 1862)
As the battle began, Tylers 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 countercharges, 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
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 29, 2026
2. Port Republic Battlefield Marker
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
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.
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 YOU ARE HERE!
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
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
(Captions):
The struggle for the Coaling.
Port Republic, 1862.
Artwork: www.keithrocco.com
Gen. Erastus Tyler
Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.
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 year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 38° 17.741′ N, 78° 48.649′ W. Marker is in Port Republic, Virginia, in Rockingham County. It is on Water Street (Virginia Route 1605) just east of Port Republic Road ( Route 253), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8691 Water Street, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named The Frank Kemper House (here, next to this marker); The Point (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); North River Bridge (about 400 feet away); Palmer Lot at Middle Ford (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Riverside Graveyard (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Madison Hall (approx. half a mile away); Battle of Port Republic (approx. 1½ miles away); First Confederate Advance (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Republic.
Other markers no longer nearby. Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Historic District (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Frank Kemper House (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named North River Bridge (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Riverside Graveyard (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Port Republic Foundry (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing); Madison Hall (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
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 4, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 4, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
