Port Republic and Cross Keys Battlefields

 This last summer brought me to Maryland on a business trip. I was able to make a few stops along the way. Port Republic, Cross Keys and Harrisonburg, Virginia.

On Weyers Cave Rd heading east from Interstate 81. You can see the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance.

Map from Civil War Trust website

This area was sparsely wooded at the time of the battle. Most of the trees on this hill were harvested for the making of charcoal. The Union Artillery would have been on this hill facing towards us. General Richard Taylor's Louisiana Brigade would eventually break and drive off the Union defenders on this hill by attacking them from the woods to my right. The position has a private residence now.

Having a snack. decided to eat a slice of lemon at the Port Republic Battlefield for "O'l Blue Light."

The Blue Ridge Mountains represented the eastern border of the Shenandoah River Valley. 

In the Area of the Cross Keys Battlefield. The land is mostly privately owned farm land. I was unable to find and historical markers.

Map from the Civil War Trust Website.

At the end of Turner Ashby Lane off  Neff Ave. in Harrisonburg, Va.

General Turner Ashby's Memorial Marker.

The view from the Confederate right flank looking forward and left towards the Union advance.

Progress waits for no man. I came away from the sights in a somber mood. The visit at Port Republic was very good. The area was well maintained and well worth a stop. The area of the Cross Keys Battlefield was beautiful. There was a small shower that passed through as we drove along the Port Republic Road. This may have hindered my ability to notice any Historical Markers. The small memorial park and monument for Brigadier General Turner Ashby was the visit that really put the experience into prospective. Here was an actual marker that was erected on a spot where a young man gave his life in defense of his country. Its hard to believe in the midst of all the progress and growth of the surrounding town, that a small bit of history happened on that hill 150 years ago.