Morning Attack Trails

The Morning Attack Trails are mowed grass through fields

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Middletown, Virginia

Significance:

Part of Cedar Creek Battlefield

Amenities

6 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Picnic Table, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Trailhead

The Morning Attack Trails are three connected trails through a battleground, part of a surprise Confederate attack on the morning of October 19, 1864, during the Battle of Cedar Creek.

Trails

The three trails combined are 1.5 miles long. All three are on public national park land. Pick up a free trail guide at the trail entrance or at the Visitor Center. The self-guiding walking tour follows stops marked on the trails. A trail on the north end of the field connects with trails at the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation Museum & Visitor Center. 

The main trail entrance and parking is at 8739 Valley Pike (U.S. Highway 11), south of Middletown. Pets are allowed, but must leashed at all times. 

Be safe on the trails. Check the weather before you go. Ticks are abundant during warm seasons. Rangers recommend using repellent with DEET.

8th Vermont Monument Trail

From the main trail head, a 300 yard (one way) trail crosses a ravine to the 8th Vermont Monument.

Thomas Brigade Loop Trail

A 0.7 mile long loop marks where Col. Stephen Thomas's brigade made its stand. The loop begins and ends near the 8th Vermont Monument. 

Hayes-Ramseur Loop Trail

A 0.7 mile long trail explores where Stephen D. Ramseur's Confederates attacked Federal troops led by Rutherford B. Hayes and Howard Kitching. The loop begins near the 8th Vermont Monument and shares a segment with the Thomas Brigade loop. 

• Stop 4: Morning Attack Trails

  
  

  The trails cover one area where the Confederate attackers overran part of the Union defenses. The trails include the 8th Vermont Monument.

  Credit / Author:

  NPS

  Date created:

  12/13/2021

  Audio Transcript

  Ok, we are now located at Stop #4, on the auto tour, which is the trail head, for the Morning Attack Trails. Feel free to pick up a brochure from the brochure box behind me, which explains the trails in more detail. A walk, a short walk, 300 yards through a ravine behind me will take you to the 8th Vermont monument. Which is only one of three veteran placed monuments on the battlefield. If you don’t feel like taking that walk, proceed to the next video, which will explain the battle action that the 8th Vermont and the brigade to which they belonged found themselves in that morning. If you do take the walk to the monument itself, then watch the video when you actually reach the monument.