Battle of Front Royal

Other Names: Guard Hill, Cedarville

Location: Warren County, Virginia

Campaign: Jackson's Shenandoah Valley Campaign (1862)

Date: May 23, 1862

Principal Commanders: Col. John R. Kenly [US]; Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson [CS]

Forces Engaged: 4,063 total (US 1,063; CS 3,000)

Casualties and losses: 960 total (US 904; CS 56)

Result(s): Confederate victory

Brief Description:

On May 23, Confederate forces, spearheaded by the Louisiana "Tigers" and the 1st Maryland, surprised and overran the pickets of a 1,000-man Union garrison under Col. Kenly at Front Royal. Driven through the town, the Federals made a stand on Camp Hill and again at Guard Hill after attempting to fire the river bridges. Outnumbered and outflanked, Kenly continued the retreat to Cedarville, where two cavalry charges led by Maj. Flournoy broke the roadblock and routed the Union force. Nearly 900 Federals surrendered. Jackson's victory at Front Royal forced the Union army under Banks at Strasburg into a rapid retreat towards Winchester.