8th Vermont Monument

The 8th Vermont Monument marks the site of fierce fighting during the Battle of Cedar Creek.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Middletown, Virginia

Significance:

Part of Cedar Creek Battlefield

Amenities

2 listed

Benches/Seating, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

Herbert Hill, veteran of the 8th Vermont Infantry Regiment, was just 18 years-old during the Battle of Cedar Creek. Twenty years after the war ended, Hill erected a monument where the 8th Vermont made its sacrificial stand to slow the Confederate attack. He explained the monument's symbolism at the 1885 dedication:

“The solid block of Vermont marble, which we are assembled today to dedicate, was purposely carved and fashioned on three sides in rough to represent the savage and peculiar feature of that awful struggle. It represents the regiment as it was surrounded at one time on three sides by an excited foe, fresh from their great victory over Crook’s Corps. It represents the three color bearers who were shot down in the terrible hand to hand conflict and who died. It represents three fourths of the commissioned officers killed or wounded. Again, I may say it represents the regiment’s total loss, for almost three fourths of the number of men and officers actually engaged were killed or wounded.”

The inscription reads:

Cedar Creek. The 8^th Vermont Vol’s. Genl. Stephen Thomas. Commanding brigade advanced across the pike the morning of Oct. 19, 1864. Engaged the enemy near and beyond this point. And before sunrise lost in killed and wounded 110 men Three color bearers were shot down. And 13 out of 16 commissioned officers. Whole number of men engaged 164 Dedicated Sept. 1885. Gift of Herbert E. Hill.

The 8th Vermont Monument is along the Morning Attack Trails  on Valley Pike (U.S. Route 11).