Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park

In June 1864 Union troops wrecked Staunton's supply depots and burned the Virginia Military Institute — over the objections of some of their own officers. What burned, what was spared, and why.

After Gettysburg, Lee’s battered but resilient army retreated back into Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley with Meade's army in pursuit. Near Front Royal, Meade saw a chance to cut off Lee’s retreat.

After The Burning, many Federal soldiers felt confident the Confederates posed no further threat in the Valley. Meanwhile, Early had received reinforcements and pondered how he could successfully attack a much larger Federal force.

The Federal victory at Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864 ended Confederate resistance in the Shenandoah Valley. Coming just three weeks before the presidential election, news of the victory boosted morale in the Northern states and helped carry Abraham Lincoln to a landslide reelection.

After their defeat at New Market, Federal troops in the Shenandoah Valley got a new commander and renewed their offensive. Intense fighting at Piedmont on June 5, 1864, peaked with a flanking movement and ended with a Confederate retreat turned to a rout. Federals occupied the key Valley town of Sta