08/28/2026
Cedar Mountain Battlefield Foundation Contributes $1,000 Toward Purchase of Major Battlefield Tract, Issues Challenge for Other Donors
Donate here to save Cedar Mountain battlefield: https://www.battlefields.org/give/save-battlefields/save-more-340-acres-four-civil-war-battlefields?ms=bing&ms=googlepaid
The Cedar Mountain Battlefield Foundation (CMBF) has answered a fundraising appeal from the American Battlefield Trust (ABT) by donating $1,000 toward the purchase of a 337-acre parcel of battlefield land along the southwest slope of Cedar Mountain. Acquisition of this undeveloped parcel—across which troops of Maj. Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson moved on their way to the fight with soldiers under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks—will more than double the acreage already preserved by ABT at Cedar Mountain, much of which has been transferred to the Commonwealth of Virginia as part of Culpeper Battlefields State Park. CMBF is the "friends" group for the new state park and works with the park manager and staff to maintain and interpret the battlefield. The park offices are at 9465 General Winder Road on the Cedar Mountain battlefield along US Highway 15, six miles south of Culpeper.
CMBF president Keith Price said, "Our board felt that as the long-time custodians and interpreters of this special community resource, we have a duty to step up and contribute toward expanding the preserved battlefield acreage at Cedar Mountain. We also challenge others who have enjoyed a visit to the battlefield or who love history to join us in donating any amount to assist ABT in securing the permanent preservation of this unspoiled property."
In its fundraising appeal, ABT notes the 337 acres at Cedar Mountain—along with four acres at three other Civil War battlefields—are valued at "nearly $4 million, but thanks to anticipated grants and other funding sources, we only need to raise the final $115,000 to preserve this land in perpetuity." ABT notes that each dollar donated will be matched $35-to-$1. ABT further states, "We don’t want future generations to look across this land and see rooftops, roads, and fences where soldiers once marched, fought, and died. They should see the battlefield as it appeared in 1862."
Fought on August 9, 1862, a total of 32,000 soldiers under Jackson and Banks clashed at Cedar Mountain, resulting in over 3,800 killed, wounded, or missing. Cedar Mountain was the only battle where Jackson drew his saber (rusted in its scabbard) and was his last action as an independent commander. American Red Cross founder Clara Barton first nursed battlefield wounded in the aftermath of Cedar Mountain, arriving in Culpeper four days after the battle. Union dead from the battle were moved to Culpeper National Cemetery in 1867.
The target property is indicated in yellow on the map. To donate, go to Save More Than 340 Acres at Four Civil War Battlefields | American Battlefield Trust. If you send a check, please write "Cedar Mountain Appeal" on the memo line. Thank you for joining CMBF to help preserve this land forever!
