General Philip Sheridan defeated Confederate General Jubal Early at Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864, climaxing the struggle for the Shenandoah Valley. Belle Grove, built by James Madison's brother-in-law Isaac Hite, Jr. between 1794-1797 as the center of his 7.500 acre plantation, served as Union headquarters during the battle.

Information provided by the National Register of Historic Places, a program of the National Park Service.