Battle of Cedar Mountain: Jackson defeats Banks

The Engagement. The battle took place on August 9, 1862, in Culpeper County, Virginia. It is also known as Slaughter's Mountain or Cedar Run. Jackson's forces narrowly defeated the Union troops. This engagement was part of the broader American Civil War and the Northern Virginia Campaign, setting the stage for subsequent operations.

Command Structure. John Pope commanded the Army of Virginia overall, while Nathaniel P. Banks led the Union forces at Cedar Mountain and Stonewall Jackson commanded the Confederate forces there. Later in August 1862, Pope's headquarters depot at Catlett's Station was captured and looted by Confederate cavalry, and he was relieved of command on September 12, 1862. In November 1862, Banks received command of the Army of the Gulf.

Tactical Context. Union forces under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks attacked Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson near Cedar Mountain as the Confederates marched on Culpeper Court House to forestall a Union advance into central Virginia. After nearly being driven from the field in the early part of the battle, a Confederate counterattack broke the Union lines resulting in a Confederate victory.