Article

Signal Knob During the Civil War

Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park

A detailed hand drawn 1800s map labeled Battle of Belle Grove depicts the terrain of the battlefield.
"Sketch of the Battle of Belle Grove" map by Jedediah Hotchkiss

Library of Congress

“Went to the end of three Top Mountain and examined the position of the enemy around Belle Grove with reference to an attack. I made a map of the position and General Gordon and myself fixed upon a plan of attack to suggest to General Early.”

—Jed Hotchkiss, Journal, October 17, 1864

On October 17, General Jubal Early sent John Gordon, Jed Hotchkiss, and others to Signal Knob in order to survey the Union positions along Cedar Creek. Upon reaching the top, they met an “inspiring panorama,” including a perfect view of the Union army below. Early knew that his smaller force had to know exactly where the Union weak points were, if they were to have any hope of success. Gordon devised a bold plan of crossing Cedar Creek and the North Fork in order to attack the Union positions from the side rather than head on. Early approved the plan and when the attack began on the morning of October 19, it worked brilliantly. By 10:30 a.m. the Union army was routed north of Middletown. This plan would not have been possible if not for the strategic significance of Signal Knob.

Square cloth flags from the 1800s with red and white patters are displayed with signal equipment.
Army signal flags

During the Civil War signal corps flags held in different positions and at different heights could relay all the letters of the alphabet. Using telescopes to read the flags, messages could be relayed over a number of miles.

People, Places, & Stories

Showing results 1-5 of 5

  • Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park

    Signal Knob During the Civil War

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
    A detailed hand drawn 1800s map depicts the terrain of a battlefield.

    On October 17, Jubal Early sent John Gordon, Jed Hotchkiss, and others to Signal Knob in order to survey the Union positions along Cedar Creek.

  • Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park

    Jedediah Hotchkiss' Maps of the Shenandoah Valley

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
    A yellowed, hand-drawn map from the 1800s shows finely-detailed geography and battle movements.

    Jedediah Hotchkiss's accurate maps played a role in numerous Confederate victories in the Shenandoah Valley and elsewhere. Exhibits showing selected maps are on display at the Visitor Center.

  • Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park

    Jedediah Hotchkiss

    • Type: Person
    • Locations: Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
    An 1800s portrait photo shows a long-bearded young man in a suit.

    Jedediah Hotchkiss was one of the Civil War’s most famous topographic engineers. His accurate maps helped win numerous Confederate victories, in the Shenandoah Valley and elsewhere.

  • Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park

    Signal Knob

    • Type: Place
    • Locations: Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
    Barns and old plantation buildings among farms on a valley floor are seen from a mountain overlook.

    Rising 1,500 feet above the Valley floor and marking the northern end of Massanutten Mountain is Signal Knob.

    • Type: Person
    • Locations: Antietam National Battlefield, Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park, Civil War Defenses of Washington, Gettysburg National Military Park, Monocacy National Battlefield
    An 1860s standing portrait photo shows a thin bearded man in military officer

    Though he had no prior military training or experience before the Civil War, John Brown Gordon became one of the most successful commanders in Robert E. Lee's army.

Last updated: July 26, 2022