Battle of Port Republic
Port Republic, Rockingham County, Virginia, USA
What happened
Stonewall Jackson's Confederates, with Charles S. Winder's brigade leading the attack, fought Union troops under Erastus B. Tyler. Winder's brigade crossed the South Fork of the Shenandoah River and attacked Union troops. The two sides fought back and forth over a hill called the Coaling. The Confederates took it, and the Union troops withdrew north.
Why it matters
Together with the Battle of Cross Keys the day before, it forced the Union armies to retreat and left Jackson in control of much of the Shenandoah Valley. It was the most costly battle of Jackson's Valley campaign.
What came next
Jackson's army was then free to join Robert E. Lee near Richmond for the Seven Days Battles.
Did you know?
The Coaling got its name because the Lewis family made charcoal there for their blacksmith shop.
Timeline
- 8 May 1862Battle of McDowell.
- 25 May 1862First Battle of Winchester.
- 8 Jun 1862Battle of Cross Keys.
- 9 Jun 1862Battle of Port Republic.
- 25 Jun 1862The Seven Days Battles begin.