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General Description: This parcel consists of 8.55 acres on the hill known as "The Coaling" during the Civil War. The Lee-Jackson Foundation donated the land to the CWPT in December 1989. In 1995 the CWPT began working with the 42nd Virginia, a Confederate reenactment group, to provide access and interpretation of the site. The project was completed in June of 1996. The property was the key to the Union position and the site of the most intense action during the battle. Most of the site is now in thick woods, but the interpretive trail offers a good view of the battlefield, particularly when the leaves are off the trees. Civil War History: Port Republic was the last and hardest fought battle of General "Stonewall" Jackson's celebrated 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. After chasing Nathaniel Bank's Union army across the Potomac River in late May, Jackson found himself pursued by Generals John C. Fremont at Cross Keys, four miles west of Port Republic on June 8th, then focused his attention on Shields. In pursuing Jackson, Shields had unwisely divided his force, sending General Erastus B. Tyler ahead with a force of some 3,000 men. Tyler aligned his infantry along a sunken roadbed, two miles north of Port Republic, anchoring his left flank on the hill where charcoal had been produced prior to the war. Six rifled guns posted at "The Coaling" commanded the plain below.
At dawn, June 9th, Jackson attacked. The bluecoats easily repulsed the "Stonewall" Brigade, sent ahead without support. Additional Confederate forces arrived in time to thwart a Federal counter-attack. While fighting still raged on the plain, Richard Taylor's Louisiana Brigade advanced against "The Coaling." Taylor's men took and held this crucial position on the third try. Tyler fell back on Shields's main body north near Conrad's Store, having lost 1,103 men. The next day Shields withdrew toward Front Royal, leaving Jackson in control of the upper Valley. The Property: The CWPT owns nine acres of land around the base of "The Coaling." The modern house at the top of the hill is privately owned. "The Coaling" was operated by the Lewis family, whose home "Lewiston" stood at the base of the hill on the site now occupied by a large white house. The village of Port Republic still retains its Civil War appearance. Several houses date back to the war, including the George Kemper House, where Jackson had his headquarters, and another Kemper house where Turner Ashby's corpse was brought following his death on June 7th at the Battle of Harrisonburg. Also visible is the bridge used by the Confederate army to cross the North River on the morning of June 9th. Jackson burned the bridge later in the day to prevent Fremont's army from crossing the swollen river. Today only the abutments survive. Instructions: The best place to park to walk the CWPT property is in the lot of the Episcopoal Church by the U.D.C. marker. Be sensitive to services and events being held at the church. Use caution in crossing the road (Route 708) to reach the CWPT property; the trail will then lead you up to the top of the slope. The best views can be seen from here. The rest of the battlefield can be seen from the public roads that bound the area of combat. Please remember that these areas are in private hands and are not accessible without that owner's permission. For further information on the Civil War history of the area, you can write the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society of Port Republic Preservationists at P.O. Box 82, Port Republic, VA 24471. Directions: From Harrisonburg, take Port Republic Road (Route 659), through Port Republic to Route 340. Turn left and drive about 1 1/2 miles to Route 708. Turn right on 708. Park at the markers in front of the Episcopal Church. Alternate approaches: from Elkton Lake take Route 340 South, and from Waynesboro take 340 North. Click here to get a map or driving directions. Port Republic, Virginia is your general direction. For a print friendly brochure, please click here.
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