VA-CL9 Battle of Coffee Hill (Second Battle of Auburn)

Marker text: BATTLE OF COFFEE HILL (SECOND BATTLE OF AUBURN)

During the early morning of 14 Oct. 1863, just northwest of here, Maj. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart and two cavalry brigades, cut off from the Army of Northern Virginia by Federal infantry, attacked Union Brig. Gen. John C. Caldwell's forces as they brewed coffee and prepared breakfast on the hill. Confederate Maj. Robert F. Beckham's Horse Artillery fired on Caldwell's troops to begin Stuart's attempted break out. This surprised Caldwell's men, but the Federal's turned their artillery around and responded. During the ensuing conflict, Caldwell's troops repulsed to Confederate cavalry charge. Stuart's actions, however, enabled him to break through the Union lines. Ever since, this hill has been known as Coffee Hill.