Cross Keys and Port Republic - June 1862
The Regiment participated in Stonewall Jackson’s Valley campaign, which ended with the battles of Cross Keys . The 13th’s action in the Battle at Cross Keys started by being ordered to secure the right flank from a Union turning movement. Later the Regiment participated in the confederate attack in support of Trimble’s brigade. Moving forward the 13th found itself facing three Union cannons supported by three regiments. Laying down and firing, the fire was effective enough to drive the crew from one of the guns on two different occasions. Lacking protection the Regiment moved further right into some woods. At the same time the Federals fell back too, and the grayclads together with Ewell’s men resumed the attack and repulsed Union General Fremont. The next day the Regiment marched to Port Republic arriving in time to participate in pursuing the retreating Federals.
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Gaines Mill June 27, 1862
This battle took place on the second day of the Seven Days Battle which ended Union General McClellan’s Peninsular Campaign. The battle was already raging when General Ewell’s Division which included the 13th Virginia, arrived on the battlefield. Ewell was ordered to attack the Union line, a formidable hillside with swampy ground around it. The 13th charged near the McGehee farm into heavy Federal fire and soon found themselves in close quarters fighting amid marshy ground and underbrush. A retreat was ordered and after a rally Ewell ordered the Regiment back into the swamp. After four hours of bitter fighting, the men withdrew around dusk. The Federals, too, withdrew and the Army of Northern Virginia gained the field. Of the 250 men that entered the battle for the 13th Virginia 27 was killed and 84 wounded – nearly half of those engaged. Colonel Walker praised the Regiment for it’s determination and bravery, and noted that the heavy loss among company officers was the best evidence of their gallantry.
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Cedar Mountain - August 9, 1862
This battle was probably THE battle of the 13th Virginia Infantry Regiment. After the war veterans of the Regiment referred to this battle as "pre-eminently our fight". The fight started with the Regiment placed in the middle of the Confederate line and at the extreme left regiment of Early’s brigade. To the left of the 13th, the Stonewall brigade was placed (under James A. Walker). The Federals closed in on the Confederates and the fighting was intense for several minutes. Then the two brigades just to the left of Early’s brigade fell back as well as several regiments to the right. Only the 13th and 31st Virginia stood their ground in that sector of the battlefield. Walker recognized the danger to a Confederate artillery piece right in front of him and ordered both regiments forward to protect the gun. At the same time the Federals had enveloped the left flank of the 13th, but still the men fought in good order. Walker withdrew the regiment 200 yards, halted, and rallied.
At this time, when everything looked grim for the graycoats, and that the mighty Stonewall Jackson would suffer a defeat, A. P. Hill arrived with the last of Jackson’s division. He noted that few regiments were "standing firm" and was undoubtly pleased to find his former command among these regiments. Encouraged by the reinforcements the 13th recaptured it’s position from the Federals and stood firmly for about ten minutes while exchanging shots with another blue line in a cornfield. The Federals then collapsed and the graycoats cleared the field of the enemy infantry but were immediately attacked by Federal cavalry on the left of the Regiment. The men executed a "left wheeel" and poured a volley into the flank of the union cavalry, which broke the attack.
The pride in the Regiment was justified. Their stand had bought Stonewall Jackson precious time. Colonel Walker praised his mens’ bravery and discipline. General Early declared that "the men of the Regiment are capital fighting men, there being none better in the Army". He also cited Terrill for great gallantry and recommended Walker for Brigadier General, which recieved Ewell’s endorsement. Although in the midst of the heavy fighting the Regiments’ loss was two killed and 32 wounded.
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