Cedar Creek • Tour the Battlefield • Battle Maps • The Armies
The 8th Corps Camps is Stop Two on the Cedar Creek battlefield auto tour. This was the left flank of the Union line at Cedar Creek. The first Confederate attack of the battle struck here out of the pre-dawn darkness and fog at 5:00 a.m., completely surprising and routing the 8th Corps. The Confederate attack then continued north toward the 19th Corps and Valley Pike (modern U.S. Route 11).
Markers at Stop Two:
- The Battle Begins orientation marker
- Surprise Attack wayside marker
- Thoburn’s Redoubt: “Like chaff before the wind” wayside marker
Map to Stop Two on the Cedar Creek Battlefield auto tour
From Stop One on the Cedar Creek Battlefield auto tour continue southwest 1.25 miles on the Valley Pike. Turn left on Water Plant Road (the 128th New York monument is on the right just before you make the left turn). Head south on Water Plant Road 1 mile, passing under the I-81 freeway. Turn right on Long Meadow Road for 1/10 mile, then turn right again on Bowman’s Mill Road. The unpaved rural road has a number of sharp curves. Follow it for 1 3/4 mile to Stop Two, which is on the right side of a sharp left curve. (38°59’55.6″N 78°19’10.8″W)