Near Middletown in Frederick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Molineux's 2nd Brigade

By Craig Swain, September 29, 2007

1. Molineux's 2nd Brigade Marker

Inscription. The westernmost brigade of U.S. Brigadier General Cuvier Grover's 2nd Division, XIX U.S. Corps, the 2nd Brigade first came under pressure when C.S. Major General Joseph B. Kershaw's Division attacked its front and left. Then C.S. Major General John B. Gordon's men, charging from the east, ran into the federal camps in the brigade's rear. Corps commander Major General William H. Emory ordered the brigade commander Colonel Edward L. Molineux to turn his trenches so his men faced what seemed the greater danger from Gordon. No sooner had the men begun digging on the Cedar Creek side of their old trenches than Emory realized the futility of the situation and ordered them to withdraw westward down the trenches, away from the converging Confederates.

Donated to the People of the United States
by the members of the
American Civil War Round Table
of the United Kingdom, founded in 1953.

Erected by Blue and Gray Education Society and Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation.

Location. 39° 0.923′ N, 78° 18.705′ W. Marker is near Middletown, Virginia, in Frederick County. Marker can be reached from Valley Pike (U.S. 11), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Located along the

2nd Brigade Trail Stop image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, September 29, 2007

2. 2nd Brigade Trail Stop

Much of the ground was open field at the time of the battle.

walking trail of the XIX Corps Earthworks, preserved by the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation. Marker is in this post office area: Middletown VA 22645, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Union Withdrawal (within shouting distance of this marker); 1st Maine Battery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union Trenches (approx. 0.2 miles away); 128th New York Volunteer Regiment (approx. half a mile away); Bearing the Brunt (approx. half a mile away); 128th Regt N.Y.S.V.I. (approx. half a mile away); Battle of Cedar Creek (approx. half a mile away); Eve of Battle (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middletown.

More about this marker. The center right of the marker is a portion of a painting named "Reverse the Trenches" by Keith Rocco. The lower left shows a portrait of "Colonel Edward L. Molineux, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, XIX U.S. Corps. Born in England, Colonel Molineux entered service as an officer of the 159th New York Regiment and served with distinction throughout the war."

Regarding Molineux's 2nd Brigade. The Cedar Creek battlefield is interpreted by several markers. See the Battle of Cedar Creek Virtual Tour by Markers link below.

Also see . . .
1. Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation. Link to article about the Keith Rocco painting that appears on the marker. (Submitted on November 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Battle of Cedar Creek Staff Ride. The trail extends from tour stop four on the Center of Military History staff ride of the battle. (Submitted on November 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

3. Battle of Cedar Creek Summary. The action here is discussed as phase four of the National Parks Service summary of the battle. (Submitted on November 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

4. Battle of Cedar Creek Virtual Tour by Markers. The related markers here follow a tour of the Cedar Creek Battlefield, October 19, 1864. (Submitted on December 8, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

5. Battle of Cedar Creek Preservation Efforts. Civil War Preservation Trust site detailing preservation efforts at the battlefield. The site includes a wealth of background information on the battle and an animated map. (Submitted on October 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Categories. • War, US Civil •

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on November 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,278 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.