June 9, 1862---The Battle of Port Republic

JUNE 9, 1862:            

The Battle of Port Republic: 

In what was to become the largest and bloodiest and final battle of the Valley Campaign, Stonewall Jackson concentrated his forces east of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River against a much smaller Union blocking force. 

Confederate assaults across the bottomland were repulsed with heavy casualties, but a flanking column turned the Union left flank. Union counterattacks failed to reestablish the line, and the Union troops retreated even as additional. Confederate forces from Cross Keys marched to join Jackson at Port Republic burning the North River Bridge behind them. 

The rain-swollen river proved impossible to ford. 

Union losses were over 1,000 of 3,500 men. Confederate losses were 800 of 6,000 men.

After the dual defeats at Cross Keys and Port Republic, the Union armies retreated from the Valley, leaving Jackson in complete control of the upper and middle Shenandoah Valley and freeing his army to reinforce Lee before Richmond.