Civil War Battle Reenactment

Civil War Battle Reenactment - September 11th-12th, 2010 at Luray Caverns. Battle of Front Royal - Saturday, September 11th. The Battle of Front Royal was part of Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson’s famous 1862 Valley Campaign. Jackson’s forces, spearheaded by the Louisiana "Tigers" and the 1st Maryland, surprised and overran the pickets of a 1,000-man Federal garrison under command of Col. John Kenly at Front Royal. Driven through the town, the Federals made a stand on Camp Hill and again at Guard Hill after attempting to burn the Shenandoah River bridges. Outnumbered and outflanked, Kenly continued the retreat to Cedarville, where two Confederate cavalry charges broke the makeshift line and routed the Federal force as some 900 men surrendered. Jackson's victory at Front Royal forced the Federal army under Gen. Nathaniel Banks to abandon his position at Strasburg and conduct a hurried retreat northward to Winchester.

Location:
The Luray Valley Museum site at Luray Caverns

Schedule:
9:00 - 11:30 - Camps open to Public
9:00 - 4:00 - Medical Demonstration at Elk Run Meeting House
2:00 - Battle of Front Royal
3:30 - 5:00 - Camps open to Public
5:00 - Camps close to Public

Fireworks at Dusk

Battle of Fisher's Hill - Sunday, September 12th

The Battle of Fisher’s Hill was part of U.S. Gen. Philip Sheridan’s 1864 Valley Campaign. Following his defeat at the Battle of Third Winchester on September 19, Confederate Gen. Jubal Early withdrew and took up strong defensive positions at Fisher's Hill, south of Strasburg. On September 21, the Federal army advanced, driving back skirmishers and capturing important high ground opposite the Confederate works. On the 22nd, Gen. George Crook's Federal VIII Corps, hidden from Confederate view, moved along North Mountain to outflank the left of Early’s line. About 4 p.m. Crook attacked Early’s flank, held only by Confederate cavalry who offered little resistance. As Crook began to roll up the Confederate line, Sheridan ordered a frontal assault. Facing overwhelming force from the front and rear, the Confederate defenders broke and ran to avoid capture. During the retreat, Col. A.S. “Sandie” Pendleton, Early’s Chief of Staff, was mortally wounded while trying to rally Confederate troops. Early retreated south to Rockfish Gap near Waynesboro, opening the Valley to a Federal "scorched earth" operation. Mills and barns from Staunton to Strasburg were subsequently burned in what became known as The Burning.

Location:
The Luray Valley Museum site at Luray Caverns

Schedule:
9:00 - 11:30 - Camps open to Public
9:00 - 1:00 - Medical Demonstration at Elk Run Meeting House
10:00 - Church Services
1:30 - Battle of Fishers Hill