Battle of Cedar Creek (Circle Tour marker)

Cedar Creek • Tour the Battlefield • Battle Maps • The Armies

The Battle of Cedar Creek Circle Tour Marker was erected in 1964 by the Virginia Civil War Commission as part of the Battlefield Trails Civil War marker series. (see map below)

Battle of Cedar Creek Circle Tour Marker near Middletown, Virginia

From the marker:

Battle of Cedar Creek

October 19, 1864

General Philip Sheridan defeated General Jubal Early here for the third time in 30 days. Sheridan’s pursuit of Confederates from Fisher’s Hill halted at Mount Crawford. On his return he encamped his three corps in this immediate area. Early followed the Federals, arriving at Fisher’s Hill October 13. Scarcity of food and forage forced him to decide on attack or withdrawal. Early chose to take the offensive despite the odds. At 4:30 a.m. on the 19th, General J. B. Gordon began the Confederate attack. The sleeping Federals were completely surprised. By 10:30 a.m. Early had driven them beyond Middletown in rout. Sheridan was not with his troops when the battle began, but made a hasty ride from Winchester to reach the battlefield in the middle of the morning. Rallying his men, he repulsed a Confederate thrust and launched a smashing counterattack at 4:30 p.m. which drove the Confederates from the field in disorder. The Valley remained thereafter under Federal control.

Map and directions to the marker

The marker is on the northwest side of the Valley Pike (U.S.11) about 0.6 mi. south of Mddletown, Virginia. (39°01’10.0″N 78°17’34.0″W)