Stonewall Jackson Wins Cross Keys: Confederate Army Saved
Stonewall Jackson's forces defeated Union General John C. Fremont at the Battle of Cross Keys on June 8, 1862, the second-to-last engagement of Jackson's legendary Shenandoah Valley Campaign. General Isaac Trimble's brigade repulsed Fremont's attacks on the Confederate right, inflicting heavy casualties. The following day, Jackson defeated General James Shields at Port Republic, completing a campaign in which 17,000 Confederates had tied down 60,000 Union troops through rapid marching and aggressive attacks. The Valley Campaign is studied at military academies worldwide as a masterclass in the use of interior lines, deception, and speed. Jackson's successes prevented Union reinforcements from reaching McClellan's Peninsula Campaign, directly contributing to the defense of Richmond.
June 8, 1862
164 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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