Battle of Cedar Mountain

Overview

The Battle of Cedar Mountain, also known as Slaughter's Mountain or Cedar Run, took place on August 9, 1862, in Culpeper County, Virginia, as part of the American Civil War. Union forces under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks attacked Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson near Cedar Mountain as the Confederates marched on Culpeper Court House to forestall a Union advance into central Virginia. After nearly being driven from the field in the early part of the battle, a Confederate counterattack broke the Union lines resulting in a Confederate victory. The battle was the first combat of the Northern Virginia campaign.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

Cedar Mountain opened the Northern Virginia Campaign on August 9, 1862, establishing an early Confederate advantage as Jackson's forces moved to block a Union advance into central Virginia. Banks attacked Jackson's column near Cedar Mountain in Culpeper County, Virginia, despite facing a force of 16,868 Confederate troops against his own 8,030. Though Union forces initially pressed hard enough to nearly drive the Confederates from the field, a Confederate counterattack broke the Union lines and secured a Confederate victory. Union casualties of 2,353 against Confederate losses of 1,338 reflected the cost of Banks's failed offensive effort. The battle demonstrated Jackson's ability to absorb an aggressive assault and respond decisively, setting the operational tone for the campaign that followed.

Tactics

Forces & casualties

Commanders (2)