[reviewed/revised 16 Oct 2021]
Cross Keys is a challenging battle, as CSA is usually outnumbered and must hold a hard-to-defend position—the northernmost of the two flags.
CSA must also defend the other flag a few hundred meters south along a slight ridge, although the northern position seems more important to the Union as an objective.
CSA can bring 10 units. I suggest 10 infantry brigades, or 9 plus one strong artillery unit.
To defend against the Union attack, you can use an old goalkeeperโs trick: pack the southern position with five brigades, which is more than it needs, leaving the north position weaker than it should be and inviting a concentrated Federal attack there. Detach skirmisher units as shown to harass Union brigades as they attack the N flag from the NE.
Once the Union commits to the attack on the N position, swing all five CSA brigades at the S position across the river. This southern CSA force should quickly rout the small Union forces facing it (maybe a brigade and an artillery unit) and then flank the main Union force from the S. At the same time the skirmishers and flanking brigades to the N/NW of the N position will be slowing/routing the Union right flank units as they charge across open territory.
The Union force can now be forced out into open fields where it will incur heavy losses from CSA units firing from forest cover.
An alternative strategy is to run the CSA units out at the start to set up a single line of battle in forest cover across the river E and NE of the northern flag, and then just defend that line as well you can.
J&P Rebalance Mod (1.27.4.3) BG
CSA can bring 13 units, rather than 10 in the vanilla game. One should be a strong artillery unit, and another should be a strong melee cav unit for shattering weakened Federal brigades and artillery batteries, and snagging supplies. Either of the basic battle strategies described above will bring victory. CSA also can just stay in cover near the two flag positions, including at the edge of the woods NE of the upper flag, enduring Union charges and ultimately whittling down the bluecoats until they are no longer a threat.
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