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In May 1862, during Stonewall Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign, his 16,000-man Valley Army, thanks to a series of lightning-fast marches and brilliant sucker punches, fought and won three battles-McDowell (on the 8th), Front Royal (on the 23rd), and Winchester (on the 25th)-in the process capturing hundreds of wagons and 2,300 prisoners. That loss would also end the campaign, and perhaps even cause Jackson to give up the Shenandoah Valley. Yet another disastrous potentiality also loomed large: The capture of the army’s cattle herd and its entire wagon train, what kept the soldiers fed and fighting. The capture of Stonewall himself-a cataclysmic possibility-would terminate the campaign and alter the course of the war.
Once on Main Street and in possession of the North River Bridge, it completely separated Jackson from his army. The aggressive Federal force that splashed across the lower ford into Port Republic-150 horseman and two pieces of artillery-posed several alarming threats. Had the Federals seen Jackson? Would they rush him? Was this how the campaign would end, with Stonewall Jackson ingloriously gobbled-up by a platoon of blue-clad cavalry? Jackson’s staff rushed to his side, their thoughts racing. (© Keith Rocco, All Rights Reserved 2023/Bridgeman Images) When Union cavalry launched a surprise attack, the Confederate forces barely managed to rally and fend the assault off. Jackson’s forces were exhausted when they set up camp in Port Republic, having marched 350 miles in 30 days. The Federal advance party was already on Main Street, shouting and firing. Confederate horsemen-charged with defending one of the South River crossings-were fleeing in every direction. Usually quiet, the thoroughfare was now a blur of activity. Using long strides, he tramped to the head of the 400-yard-long Main Street and stopped. Anxious over this unexpected enemy activity, Jackson set off rapidly toward the combat, his staff officers streaming behind.
With those words, firing erupted somewhere nearby.Īn artillery shell exploded over the town. “Go back and fight them,” came Jackson’s calm response. “General!” he shouted while saluting, “Federals have charged across the lower ford of the South River…cavalry and artillery. Kerfoot, galloped up to Stonewall with horrific news. Suddenly a Southern rider, 16-year-old Henry D. Jackson and most of his staff officers were gathered on Dr. Their plans for the day included bathing, fishing, and perhaps a sightseeing jaunt to nearby Weyer’s Cave. The men looked forward to church services and more much-needed rest. Jackson’s Valley Army was encamped across the North River-by way of a covered bridge. Alongside the village’s southeastern edge, two fords offered access to the South River’s right bank. Sited atop a knoll on Port Republic’s southwestern edge, Kemper’s offered a splendid view of the picturesque inland harbor town tucked into the confluence of the North and South Rivers. Many of the wagons’ white “bonnets” (their tarpaulin covers), bore a large black-painted “U.S.”-proof positive of Jackson’s recent successes. Beyond and across the adjacent road, farm fields were filled with the army’s herd of beef cattle and its massive 1,500-wagon baggage and ordnance train. Behind the house was camped a brand-new untested unit, the Charlottesville Artillery. The immediate area presented a busy scene. “Stonewall” Jackson was in the central valley town of Port Republic, headquartered at Madison Hall, the residence of Dr. Sunday, Jdawned bright and cool in Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Caught Sleeping at the Wheel: How the Union Army Almost Nabbed Stonewall Jackson Close
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