THE CARNAGE WAS FEARFUL: Battle of Cedar Mounrtain

1-229450

Covers the Battle of Cedar Mountain on August 9, 1862, where outnumbered Federal infantry under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks attacked Maj. Gen. Stonewall Jackson's army as it marched toward Culpeper Court House. A violent three-hour battle erupted, yielding more than 3,600 casualties. The tide of battle turned and the resulting Confederate victory added to Stonewall's mystique. Includes 175 images and 10 maps.

The battle saw the emergence of the Federal cavalry as an effective intelligence collector and screening force. It also provided Confederate Maj. Gen. A.P. Hill's first opportunity to save the day and his first opportunity to raise Jackson's ire. Within the Federal Army, the aftermath of the battle escalated the in-fighting among generals and led to recriminations and finger-pointing over why the battle was even fought. Most importantly, the Federal defeat at Cedar Mountain halted an advance into central Virginia and provided the commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, Gen. Robert E. Lee, an opportunity to take the fight away from Richmond and toward Washington.