10 Facts about Cedar Creek Learn More About the Importance of
Cedar Creek Prof. Jonathan Noyalas, author and editor of several
books and articles on the Civil War and chief historian of the
Kernstown Battlefield, helped us assemble these 10 facts about
the Battle of Cedar Creek. We hope that these interesting facts
will improve your awareness and appreciation for this important
1864 Civil War battle in Virginia. Fact #1: The Confederate plan
to strike the Union left flank was developed by Gen. John B.
Gordon and chief topographical engineer Capt. Jedediah
Hotchkiss. Once Gen. Early determined to attack the Army of the
Shenandoah in its fortified position on the north bank of Cedar
Creek, he needed to determine how to do it. On the night of
October 17, Gen. John B. Gordon, Capt. Jedediah Hotchkiss, Maj.
Robert W. Hunter, and Gen. Clement Evans scaled Massanutten
Mountain to observe the Union position. Gordon and Hotchkiss
quickly agreed that the Union left flank afforded the only place
an attack could be made