Cross Keys
October 2010
Harrisonburg
At Harrisonburg, we saw where Turner Ashby was killed prior to the
battle of Cross Keys. Roughly three acres of the site is
preserved, but James Madison Unversity is developing the surrounding
land as an athletic facility, drastically altering this formerly
pristine site.
Cross Keys - Union Church Cemetery
Confederate skirmishers harrassed the Union advance from this
cemetery. Some of the headstones show damage from the battle, and at least two casualties of the battle are buried there.
Dr. Irvin Hess showed us the Widow Pence Farm, which he owns.
There is an easement on the property. Relatively late in life, Dr. Hess learned that he had ancestors who
lived on the battlefield.
There are a number of interesting items inside the house, including this photo. Do you recognize these men?
We took a hayride to the site of the ambush of the 8th NY.
The Hess's dog escorted us - to the annoyance of the livestock!
Confederate Gen. Reumble's men were originally defending the wooded
ridge on the far left but then moved forward under cover to this
fenceline overlooking an open field with the Massanutten in the
background. The 8th NY, advancing alone without skirmishers, was
ambushed by Trimble's brigade and took heavy casualties.
At the barn, we were shown a diorama of the battle, then a short video.
After touring Port Republic, Clive presents Dr. Hess with a plaque as a token of our appreciation.