Battle of Cedar Mountain
Cedar Mountain, Culpeper County, Virginia, USA
What happened
A Union corps under Nathaniel P. Banks attacked Confederate troops under Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson. Jackson's army was marching toward Culpeper Court House when Banks attacked near Cedar Mountain. The Union attack pushed hard at first, but a Confederate counterattack led by A. P. Hill broke the Union lines. The Union troops fell back in the evening.
Why it matters
It was the first fighting of the Northern Virginia campaign, moving the war in Virginia from the Peninsula to the north of the state. Union leaders halted their advance toward Gordonsville, which gave Robert E. Lee the initiative.
What came next
Jackson waited two days, then fell back toward Gordonsville on 12 August. Later that month the Confederates won the Second Battle of Bull Run.
Did you know?
This was the only battle in which Jackson drew his sword; it had rusted in its scabbard, so he waved it, scabbard and all.
Timeline
- 9 August 1862Battle of Cedar Mountain.
- 12 August 1862Jackson falls back toward Gordonsville.
- 28–30 August 1862Second Battle of Bull Run.