Saving History Saturday: Cross Keys Battlefield Preservation Project

The Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation’s (SVBF) most recent preservation project is at the Cross Keys Battlefield, a part of Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign.

SVBF’s current preservation project at Cross Keys involves the purchase of this historic Pirkey Farm, over 173-acres of core battlefield where Maj. Gen. John C. Freemont’s 11,500-man Federal army deployed and launched the opening attack of the battle against Maj. Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s 5,800 Confederates under Maj. Gen. Richard Ewell. This purchase includes three of the four corners of the Port Republic and Keezletown Roads and is a prime development target.

The Federals had early success in the battle but were repulsed once it stumbled into a Confederate ambush. Brig. Gen. Isaac Trimble’s brigade pressed the Union left, threatening the Union artillery, and shortly thereafter Fremont withdrew, thus ending the battle with a Confederate victory.

The owner of the land recently passed away and left instructions in their will that the property was to be offered to SVBF for 50% of its value plus $100,000. The project, eligible for the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) grant, means that SVBF can save this important battlefield land for slightly more than $134,000 out of pocket.

To learn more about this project, and all of SVBF’s work, click here.