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General Description: This 151.95 acre parcel, gently rolling with scattered timber, contains the historic heart of Cedar Mountain Battlefield. The Land is now in agricultural use and is bisected by US Highway 15 a few miles south of Culpeper, Virginia. The Site includes several historically important features: the Gate, the wheat field, and a monument erected during the war to Major General Charles S. Winder, who died in the battle. Civil War History: The battle at Cedar Mountain marks Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's last engagement in command of independent force. On August 9, 1862, the much stronger Confederates nearly suffered defeat at the hands of a small Union force led by Major General Nathaniel P. Banks, but in the end Jackson's wing of the Army of Northern Virginia prevailed. Historians considered Cedar Mountain to be the opening salvo of the Second Manassas Campaign. In the first days of August 1862, a Union army under Major General John Pope operated near Culpeper, mounting a new threat to the Confederate capital. Lee stabilized the situation on the Peninsula and sent Jackson, with three divisions, to northern Virginia to suppress the Union threat. Jackson's 22,000 troops marched toward Culpeper and on August 9, 1862, Brigadier General Jubal A. Early ran into a Union force totaling 12,000 men near Cedar Mountain. Early sighted Union cavalry in addition to hostile artillery. The Confederates replied by setting up three clusters of guns: one perpendicular to the main road, another on the mountainside, and the last in front of the lane leading to the Crittendon house. An artillery duel ensued While this duel proceeded, Confederate infantry maneuvered into position along the wood line and along Crittendon Lane. The CWPT property focuses on the decisive infantry fighting. Union commander Banks led his men toward the Crittendon lane through a cornfield, while Brigadier General Samuel W. Crawford moved his men to the wood line where he launched an attack on Jackson's left. Both Jackson and Winder of Maryland focused more on the artillery duel, leaving their infantry lines poorly deployed. As Crawford attacked the Confederates, Winder fell, mortally wounded. Crawford's forces rolled over the Confederate left. In addition to Crawford's advance, Brigadier General Christopher C. Auger moved through the cornfield and attacked the Confederates at Crittendon Lane. Jackson stood strong and rallied his troops until Major General A.P. Hill arrived with reinforcements. Hill's fresh brigades saved Jackson's line and sent the Union troops in retreat to Culpeper. The Confederates suffered over 1,300 casualties, while the Federals lost about 2,400. The Property: The CWPT purchased an undivided interest on 152 acres at Cedar Mountain. This property was owned by Mr. Taylor Wiseman, and upon his death, the land was divided among his heirs. The CWPT reached an agreement with one of the heirs to purchase 1/12 interest in the estate. With this purchase, the CWPT became co-owner of the whole Wiseman Estate and thus shares all the rights and responsibilities of the other owners. Through this transaction, the CWPT can protect the Cedar Mountain Battlefield from development that might harm the battlefield's historic appearance. In 1998, CWPT purchased the remaining interest and now owns the entire 152 acres. Instructions: Site interpretation, along with long and short loop trails, are available to visitors; parking will be coming soon. The site is open to the public for visitation. Directions: Take 66 West past Manassas to the Warrenton Exit (29 South). Follow 29/15 South of approximately 35 minutes. When you see signs for Culpeper, bypass the city by staying to the left on 29/15 South. After passing the large Merillat compound on the right, take the exit to Route 15. This is the same exit as Woodbury Forest School and Montpelier. Take 15 South (left off of the exit) and follow it for approximately 7 miles. You will see the CWPT sign on the corner of 15 and General Winder Drive. Take a right onto General Winder Dr., and the site is directly ahead of you.
Click here to get a map or driving directions. Culpeper, Virginia is your general destination. For a print friendly brochure, please click here.
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