In order to understand the importance of the Battles of Cross Keys and the Battle of Port Republic, we must emphasize the importance of the Shenandoah Valley. Stonewall Jackson summed up this region’s strategic importance. The Shenandoah Valley was key to Virginia, and Virginia, the most populous Confederate State, was key to the Confederacy. The Shenandoah Valley provided Virginia significant agricultural produce and geographically served as a conduit for Lee’s two invasions of the North. 

 

Stated differently, for the North to attain victory they needed to strangle the Confederacy. To accomplish this goal, the North ultimately prevailed on several fronts: 1) They divided the Confederacy East and West by taking full control of the Mississippi 2) They blocked the Southern Ports to prevent rearmament from England and France 3) They undermined the agricultural production of the Confederacy by destroying key croplands, forcing many Confederate soldiers to desert and return to their destitute families. 4) Grant kept 3 major union armies fully occupied in different regions of the Confederacy forcing the Confederates to keep their outnumbered troops divided.

 

The Battle of Cross Keys was fought on June 8, 1862 and the Battle of Port Republic was fought the next day on June 9, 1862. The Confederate victory in both battles led to a Northern retreat, and the elevation of Stonewall Jackson to mythical status. Both battles were interlinked. That is, Jackson maintained sufficient forces in both locations to prevent Union seizure of either location. Moreover, the key to Jackson’s victory was keeping the Union armies under the direction of John Freemont and James Shield divided.

 

Interestingly enough, Jackson made a series of mistakes prior to both battles. First of all, his headquarters was on the opposite side of the river from his troops. Secondly, Jackson’s ammunition, food, and other needed supplies were both unguarded and highly visible to his Union enemies. Thirdly, Jackson lightly defended the North River Bridge. Holding this bridge was necessary to keep the Union forces divided. During the course of the two battles, Jackson overcame his mistakes, being resourceful, bold, personally courageous and prescient, thereby overcoming his lack of preparedness.

 

After Stonewall’s victories, Jackson reinforced Robert E. Lee for the Seven Days Battles outside Richmond, Virginia. Over time, the legend of Stonewall Jackson has grown. That is, for many believers in the Lost Cause, his untimely death at the height of his prestige in 1863 was a key factor in the Confederate defeat. Specifically, Jackson supporters point to his absence at Gettysburg, and the failure of Lee’s lieutenants to demonstrate Jackson’s courage, resourcefulness and initiative. That is, Jackson and Lee worked well together because Jackson could exploit the wide latitude Lee provided him. After Jackson’s death, Lee never had a general of first-rate ability.  General Douglas MacArthur, whose father was a Union General, characterized Jackson as “one of the most remarkable soldiers we have ever known. His mastery of two of the greatest elements for victory in war—surprise and envelopment—never has been surpassed. Moreover, he possessed a magnetic personality, inspiring his men to perform heroically. 

 

Interestingly enough at the first battle, the Battle of Cross Keys, the North outnumbered the Confederacy 11,500 to 5,800. However, at the Battle of Port Republic, the Confederacy outnumbered the Yankees 6,000 to 3500. That is, Freemont was unable to consolidate his troops with Shields.

 

Throughout the Civil War, the Confederacy suffered from inferior manpower and arms. However, in 1862, the South was capable of fielding a competitive fighting force. Over time, the superior manufacturing capability and manpower of the North became increasingly significant, especially under the guidance of General Grant who kept pressure on the Confederacy by fielding armies throughout the South, thereby preventing the Confederacy from temporarily reallocating manpower to critical areas.

 

At the Battle of Cross Keys, Jackson needed to keep divided two union armies. One of the union army’s divisions, some 15,000 men was under the direction of General John C. Fremont and the other army, numbering some 10,000 strong was under the direction of General James Shields. Fortunately for Jackson, his army held the North River Bridge preventing the unification of the two Northern armies.

Late in the day on June 7, Fremont’s advanced guard encountered Jackson’s pickets near Cross Keys Tavern. A few shots were fired and the Union cavalry fell back onto their main body. Darkness prevented further developments.

 

On June 8th, Shields attempted to capture this key bridge. Jackson counterattacked, forcing the Union to retreat. In the meanwhile Fremont who was separated from Shields tried to envelop the Confederate position. This maneuver required an elaborate right wheel. Miscommunication between the Northern commanders prevented effectively utilizing their superior manpower to dislodge the Confederates. The Confederates not only successfully counterattacked but burned the North River Bridge. Thus, for Freemont to press Jackson, he needed to cross the rain-swollen river, a difficult undertaking. 

 

The Battle of Port Republic was fought on June 9, 1862 in Rockingham County, Virginia. This battle was the most costly battle fought by Jackson’s Army of the Valley during its campaign.

 

During the night of June 8-9, Jackson ordered the building of a bridge of wagons across the South Fork of the Shenandoah River at Port Republic. This bridge was only partially serviceable. That is, only some Confederate soldiers and limited heavy guns could cross the bridge before it became unserviceable. The goal of the Confederates was to keep the Union forces divided. One Confederate force was deployed to delay Freemont’s forces at Cross Keys, while the other Confederate force under the command of General Ewell and Winder attacked Shield’s Union army positioned at Lewiston Coaling. After fierce fighting, the Confederates were able to Capture Coaling, making the Union position untenable. The Union soldiers some four miles. The Confederates were unable to push the Yankees back further due to heavy rains, lack of visibility, and dwindling ammunition.

General Freemont tried unsuccessfully to reinforce Shield’s beleaguered troops. Unwilling to cross the rain-swollen river, Freemont on the night of June 9th retreated back toward Harrisonburg. Until General Grant, the Union Army after suffering set backs retreated back toward Washington D.C. rather than press the Confederates. The failure of Freemont to continue to engage Jackson deserves criticism. That is, both Freemont and Shields after the battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic has sufficient manpower and arms to continue their engagement of their Confederate foes. Instead their retreat allowed Jackson to reinforce Robert E. Lee before Richmond in the Seven Days Battles.