Artillery Opens the Ball at Cedar Mountain

By Joseph Bordonaro · Originally published October 2017 · pp. 36–37

On August 9, 1862, Confederate General Jubal Early encountered cavalry and artillery forces of Union General Nathaniel Banks located on the plain above Cedar Run and near Cedar Mountain (also known as Slaughter’s Mountain). So, it was fitting that the living history event commemorating the Battle of Cedar Mountain featured an artillery duel.

Confederate reenactors manned a brass Napoleon positioned near the location of the old Culpeper Turnpike (modern day Rt. 15). Union reenactors manned a section of horse artillery. Gun 1 was a Parrott rifle; Gun 2 was a 3-inch Ordnance rifle. A highlight of the day’s living history was the deployment of the two horse artillery pieces, with their accompanying limbers and teams of four horses each. The Confederate smoothbore gun barked out a challenge and was answered by the near simultaneous crash of the two Union rifled guns. Those of you familiar with the area are aware of just how hot and humid it can be in August, but the reenactors and visitors to this year’s event were blessed with weather conditions that featured sunny skies, low humidity, and relatively temperatures that topped out in the low 80s. If you have the opportunity, stop by next year and check out the battlefield. Once a place of terror and mayhem (Cedar Mountain was a relatively small battle but featured an extremely high casualty rate), the area is now a beautiful park preserved due to local efforts allied with the Civil War Trust.

Artillery firing by section.

The section advances in column.

(Dr. Ian Webber)

Gun Number 2 crew driving to its position.

(Jeffrey Hayes)

Driver Dan Chmelar and Section Chief Chris Bopp lead their piece into action. (Dr. Ian Webber)

Confederate gun crew fires at the deploying Federal artillery.

Chris Bopp leads his gun crew into position. (Heather Sawyer)