The battles at Port Republic and Cross Keys -- the triumphant culmination of Stonewall Jackson's Shenandoah Valley campaign -- were among the most important of the Civil War. In a strategy that will always be remembered as a military classic, the general took advantage of the Valley's unique geography to launch his attacks. The result: decisive victories that abruptly revitalized the fighting spirit of the South and brought hope to the floundering Confederate States of America. Conquering the Valley brings to life the dramatic events of June 8 and 9, 1862, when one sterm general's remarkable conquests indelibly marked his place in Civil War history. Drawn from eyewitness accounts, private diaries, and intimate letters, this fascinating work takes the reader minute-by-minute through two significant Civil War battles. - Jacket flap.