Position of Union Army at Cedar Creek Union position and plan of battle.

However, what initially appeared to be an overwhelming success quickly turned to a rout when the Union forces were redeployed and launched a successful counterattack that drove the Confederates back across the Shenandoah to Fisher's Hill, with heavy losses of men, equipment and supplies.

Map shows troop locations along the Strasburg Pike on either side of Cedar Creek, and along the north fork of the Shenandoah River. The Union army under Sheridan has paused in its movement up the Valley and is located northwest of Cedar Creek in the vicinity of Middletown and Belle Grove. Early's Confederates, having assessed the situation from their position at Fisher's Hill, decided to undertake a surprise attack on the Union rear. On the night of October 18th a portion of Early's army crossed to the south of the Shenandoah and marched east, recrossing the river at Bowman's Ford on the Union left flank. Meanwhile, several other divisions moved north along the Valley Pike in a position to launch a direct assault. Moving in before daylight, the Confederates took the Federals by complete surprise.

cedar creek battle of va maps shenandoah valley campaign august november shenandoah county va history civil war shenandoah river valley va and w va united states virginia shenandoah river valley shenandoah valley campaign woodstock shenandoah county va union army union army cedar creek cedar creek union position plan battle 1861 map of virginia high resolution

01/01/1861

Library of Congress

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