Battle of Cedar Mountain

Battle context

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.