Cross Keys Battlefield
533 Acres Preserved
“There in the clover lay most of the 8th New York.”
The Battle of Cross Keys was one of the culminating battles of Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign. This Confederate victory, along with the Battle of Port Republic, held off the Union armies in the Valley and allowed Jackson to join Robert E. Lee in the fight around Richmond, Virginia.
The Artillery Ridge sight located within Cross Keys battlefield provides the location of one of the most effective uses of the Confederate Artillery during the War. The Confederate victory at the Battle of Cross Keys and the effective use of its Artillery, prevented two Union Armies from uniting. This would set the stage for the Confederate victory the following day at Port Republic.
Also visit the site of Union Church, where the battle began when Gen. Richard Ewell’s Confederates positioned here on June 8 were attacked by Union Gen. John C. Fremont.
Directions for reaching Artillery Ridge site: From Harrisonburg, come south on Port Republic Road (Va-253). After 5.1 miles you’ll come to the intersection with Cross Keys Road. Continue through that intersection and go 1.7 miles until you come to Artillery Road on your right (shortly after you pass Battlefield Road). Turn right onto Artillery Road and go for about 0.6 miles until you come to Bowtie Drive on your right. Turn onto Bowtie Drive. Continue a short distance until you come to parking area on your right. From the parking area, follow the wood chip trail straight ahead and it will take you onto the Artillery Ridge site.
Artillery Ridge Trail
Cross Keys Ruritan Hall (Union Church)
