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.
Marker is at the intersection of Valley Pike (U.S. 11) and Belle Grove Road, on the right when traveling south on Valley Pike.
Courtesy hmdb.org
