on june 8, frémont’s 11,500-man union army found ewell's confederate division at cross keys, virginia. ewell had been ordered to block frémont's movements towards port republic, virginia. the battle started with a two-hour duel between the union and confederate artilleries. a union flanking maneuver from the left was thrown back by confederate volley fire. the surprise volley caused 258 union casualties in just under ten minutes. frémont did not realize he was dealing with a smaller confederate force. under the protection of his artillery batteries, frémont fell back to the keezletown road. the following day, while two confederate brigades held frémont where he was, the remainder of ewell's confederates moved towards port republic.