Battle of Moorefield

Last updated

Battle of Moorefield
Part of the American Civil War
Map of West Virginia highlighting Hardy County.svg
Hardy County, West Virginia, US
DateAugust 7, 1864 (1864-08-07)
Location Coordinates: 39°05′39″N78°57′52″W / 39.0941°N 78.9645°W / 39.0941; -78.9645
Result Union victory
Belligerents
Flag of the United States (1863-1865).svg United States of America (Union) Flag of the Confederate States of America (1863-1865).svg Confederate States of America (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Flag of the United States (1863-1865).svg William Averell Flag of the Confederate States of America (1863-1865).svg John McCausland
Units involved
1st West Virginia Cavalry
2nd West Virginia Cavalry (reserve)
3rd West Virginia Cavalry
1st New York Cavalry
8th Ohio Cavalry
14th Pennsylvania Cavalry
22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry
1st Maryland Cavalry
2nd Maryland Cavalry
36th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry
37th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry
8th Virginia Cavalry
14th Virginia Cavalry
21st Virginia Cavalry
22nd Virginia Cavalry
Strength
1,760 3,000
Casualties and losses
42488

The Battle of Moorefield was a cavalry battle in the American Civil War, which took place on August 7, 1864. The fighting occurred along the South Branch of the Potomac River, north of Moorefield, West Virginia, in Hardy County. The National Park Service groups this battle with Early's Washington Raid and operations against the B&O Railroad, and it was the last major battle in the region before General Philip Sheridan took command of Union troops in the Shenandoah Valley. This Union triumph was the third of three major victories (Battle of Droop Mountain, Battle of Rutherford's Farm, and the Battle of Moorefield) for Brigadier General William W. Averell, who performed best when operating on his own.

Contents

On July 30, Confederate cavalry commanded by Brigadier General John McCausland moved north of the Potomac River and burned most of the town of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He then moved west to threaten more towns and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. McCausland was pursued by a smaller cavalry commanded by Averell. McCausland's troops, with fresh horses, were able to escape the Union cavalry and threaten more towns. After re-crossing the Potomac River, McCausland moved south and camped between the West Virginia towns of Moorefield and Romney—closer to Moorefield. He positioned a brigade led by General Bradley Johnson on the north side of the South Branch of the Potomac River, while McCausland's own brigade camped on the south side. Those campsites were better suited for grazing their tired horses than they were for providing for the security of the troops—McCausland assumed that Averell's pursuing force was still 60 miles (97 km) away in Hancock, Maryland. He was correct that Averell had been forced to rest his horses near Hancock, but Averell was reinforced and ordered to continue the pursuit a few days later.

On the night of August 6, Averell's cavalry cautiously moved toward the Confederate camps. Using an advance guard disguised as Confederate soldiers, Averell's cavalry quietly captured all of the Confederate pickets that separated the Union force from the sleeping Confederates. On the early morning of August 7, Averell's first brigade attacked the Confederate brigade camped on the north side of the river. Many of these rebels were sleeping and did not have their horses saddled. In some cases, entire Confederate regiments simply tried to run away, leaving behind weapons and loot taken from Chambersburg. Although the Confederates attempted to offer resistance on the south side of the river that separated the two Confederate camps, many of those men were also caught unprepared. Averell added his second brigade to the fight, and it charged across the river. The disorganized Confederate force was no match for Averell's cavalry, which was armed with sabers, 6-shot revolvers (hand guns) and 7-shot repeating rifles. Over 400 men were either killed or captured, while the Union force lost fewer than 50. Averell's victory inflicted permanent damage on the Confederate cavalry, and it was never again the dominant force it once was in the Shenandoah Valley.

Background

Confederate General McCausland's raid burned Chambersburg (red circle) and threatened Hancock (red dotted circle). The nearest large body of Union cavalry (Averell) was stationed at Hagerstown (blue circle). Chambersburg - Hancock - Hagerstown.png
Confederate General McCausland's raid burned Chambersburg (red circle) and threatened Hancock (red dotted circle). The nearest large body of Union cavalry (Averell) was stationed at Hagerstown (blue circle).
Ruins of bank and home in Chambersburg in 1864 Bank of Chambersburg and Franklin House, Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Pa., destroyed by the rebels under McCausland, July 30th, 1864 (LOC) (5598386060).jpg
Ruins of bank and home in Chambersburg in 1864

During June and July 1864, Confederate forces under the command of General Jubal A. Early patrolled the Shenandoah Valley. Early's successes were a political liability for President Abraham Lincoln, and caused Union leaders to divert resources away from Richmond and West Virginia. [1] Union soldiers from the Army of West Virginia began arriving via the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in Martinsburg, West Virginia, on July 19, and had an initial success in the Battle of Rutherford's Farm. [2] A few days later, Early tricked Union General George Crook into believing that Early had sent a large part of his Confederate force to Richmond. [3] The result of this deception was a July 24 Confederate victory near Winchester, Virginia, at the Second Battle of Kernstown. [4] Union troops, in some cases panic stricken, retreated to the north side of the Potomac River. [5]

Early, who had threatened the federal capital of Washington, D.C. during the first half of July, followed his Kernstown victory with an attack on northern territory. He dispatched two brigades of cavalry under General John McCausland and General Bradley Johnson to conduct raids in Pennsylvania. [Note 1] McCausland was the force's commander and led the first brigade, while Johnson commanded the second brigade. Their purpose was to burn northern towns unless they received a ransom. Their first two targets were Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and Cumberland, Maryland. [8]

On July 29, McCausland's cavalry force crossed the Potomac River west of Williamsport, Maryland, with the assistance of diversionary crossings at other locations by General John D. Imboden and Colonel William "Mudwall" Jackson. [9] Panic spread throughout the region as McCausland moved toward Chambersburg. The Union troops nearest to McCausland belonged to General William W. Averell, who was stationed in Hagerstown, Maryland, and had troops guarding nearby fords along the river. Averell had only 1,260 men and two pieces of artillery in his command. [Note 2] Averell's communications were cut around noon. [12]

After Early's excursion north of Washington a few weeks earlier, Averell was under pressure to make sure that Washington and Baltimore were not attacked. Averell's spies discovered Confederates moving east on the Baltimore Pike, and Averell mistakenly assumed they planned to attack Baltimore. He cautiously positioned his force, which was under half the size of McCausland's, to protect Baltimore instead of moving directly to Chambersburg. The Confederate troops were merely a patrol that eventually retreated back to Chambersburg. This delayed Averell's arrival at Chambersburg, and allowed the Confederates to raid and burn Chambersburg virtually unopposed on July 30. [13] Damage to the town was devastating—537 homes, businesses, and other structures were destroyed. This included all of the stores and hotels, two mills, two factories, and a brewery. [14] After burning Chambersburg, McCausland moved west and rested his horses. Later that day, Averell arrived in Chambersburg, and then continued to pursue McCausland. His actions may have prevented the burning of Hancock in Maryland, and McConnellsburg and Bedford in Pennsylvania. [15]

McCausland planned to burn Hancock, Maryland, after not receiving a ransom of $50,000 ($765,638 in 2016 dollars). This intensified a rift between McCausland and Johnson, who was from Maryland. Johnson denounced his commander, and ordered some of his men to town to protect its residents. The near-mutiny ended when Averell's cavalry approached. [16] Averell's men skirmished with McCausland's rear guard. McCausland had been able to secure fresh horses, and escaped. Averell's horses were exhausted, and he was forced to pause in his pursuit of McCausland in Hancock. He could not secure fresh horses, since any in the area had already been taken by McCausland. [17] Averell rested his troops until August 3, when he received an order from General David Hunter to pursue McCausland and attack "wherever found". [18] [19]

McCausland moves south

After an unsuccessful attack at Cumberland (dotted circle) and nearby New Creek, McCausland moved to where the South Branch of Potomac River crosses the main north-south road between Romney and Moorefield (solid circle). This is where the Battle of Moorefield took place. Moorefield and Romney.png
After an unsuccessful attack at Cumberland (dotted circle) and nearby New Creek, McCausland moved to where the South Branch of Potomac River crosses the main north–south road between Romney and Moorefield (solid circle). This is where the Battle of Moorefield took place.

By the time Averell received his order to renew the pursuit of McCausland, the rebels had already threatened Cumberland. McCausland was held off by artillery led by General Benjamin Franklin Kelley. [20] With considerable difficulty, McCausland crossed the Potomac River and made camp near Springfield, West Virginia, on the South Branch River. On the next day, they moved toward Romney, and rested until August 4. [21]

On August 4, the Confederate cavalry continued with their second objective, which was disrupting the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. They attempted to raid New Creek (present day Keyser, West Virginia). General Kelley sent a train load of reinforcements to defend New Creek, which had "well positioned" artillery but a small force. [22] The reinforcements, artillery, and difficult terrain forced the Confederates to retreat south and abandon their raid. [22]

After aborting the raid, the Confederates retreated south towards Moorefield. McCausland believed that Averell was still in Hancock, and was therefore not an immediate threat. He selected camp sites suited for grazing horses instead of defense. Johnson's Brigade occupied the north side of the South Branch Potomac River, while McCausland's Brigade camped on the south shore. The camps were north of Moorefield and south of Romney, along the main north–south road between the two communities and closer to Moorefield. The route back to the Shenandoah Valley was east out of Moorefield along the Wardensville Road, which led to Wardensville and Winchester. McCausland established his headquarters at the Samuel McMechen home in Moorefield, leaving his brigade under the command of Colonel James A. Cochran from the 14th Virginia Cavalry. Horses were unsaddled and fed. [23] Johnson made his headquarters closer to his brigade at a mansion named Willow Wall that was owned by the McNeill family. [24] Each brigade had two pieces of artillery. Johnson kept several groups of pickets north of his camp along the main road. [17] Captain John "Hanse" McNeill, leader of McNeill's Rangers that normally patrolled the area, recommended McCausland reposition the two brigades because he did not believe the camp sites were ideal for the security of the troops. His advice was disregarded, so he moved his Rangers to a more secure site about 8 miles (13 km) away from McCausland. [23]

Renewed pursuit

Earlier, while the Confederates attempted to raid New Creek, Averell's force crossed the Potomac at Hancock, Maryland, and headed for Springfield, West Virginia, north of Romney. He was losing horses due to exhaustion, but at Springfield he received food for his men and horses sent by General Kelley. Around this time he learned about McCausland's unsuccessful raid at New Creek, and that McCausland was moving toward Moorefield. [18] He arrived in Romney around 11:00 am on August 6. At that time he sent a battalion of men from the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry away from the main road to the Wardensville Road. This battalion, led by Major George T. Work, was instructed to block McCausland's route back to the Shenandoah Valley at Lost River Gap while Averell approached from behind, or approach McCausland from the east if fighting had begun. During the afternoon, Averell gathered more information and devised his plan for a surprise attack. [25]

Averell's main force continued southward at 1:00 am on August 7. The force was led by a group of scouts dressed in Confederate uniforms, while the main force followed far enough behind that they could not be detected. The scouts were led by Captain Thomas R. Kerr of the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and his men were selected specifically for this mission. [26] While the scouts led the advance, the main body followed at a distance—and had to frequently stop while the scouts made sure it was safe for the main force to proceed. Many of the men would "lie down by the road side, bridle rein in hand, [and] snatch a few minutes of sleep" while waiting for the scouts to signal it was OK to continue. [27] At about 2:30 am, Kerr's scouts deceived and captured a two-man picket from Johnson's Brigade. From this action, the scouts learned the location of the next set of pickets—and quietly captured two more squads of rebels posted along the main road. [27]

Battle

Averell attacks

Averell's force quietly rode toward Moorefield. Averell Approach to Moorefield.png
Averell's force quietly rode toward Moorefield.

Averell approached Johnson's Brigade on the main road from the north. Kerr's squad (dressed as confederates) led the advance. Next came Averell's First Brigade (also called the advance brigade), which was commanded by Major Thomas Gibson and consisted of Gibson's 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry and the 8th Ohio Cavalry. Averell's plan was for Gibson's Brigade to attack using their sabers, and to continue to the river. Averell rode with this brigade. [28] Surprise was important for Averell's force, since it was outnumbered approximately 3,000 to 1,760. [29]

The Second Brigade, commanded by Colonel William H. Powell, consisted of three West Virginia cavalry regiments plus the 1st New York (Lincoln) Cavalry (attached). The Lincoln Cavalry detachment, commanded by Captain Abram Jones, rode on the west side of Gibson's Brigade, while Powell and the West Virginians rode on the east side. Powell had the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry in the lead, followed by the 1st West Virginia Cavalry. The 2nd West Virginia Cavalry was held in reserve, and also guarded the pickets that had been captured earlier in the pre-sunrise morning. [Note 3] Powell rode with the 1st West Virginia. Further east, Major Work's 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry battalion was in place on the Wardensville Road and moving west toward Moorefield. [28]

At dawn, Kerr's squad (still dressed as Confederates) casually rode by the First Maryland Cavalry regiment (Confederate), and proceeded west of the road to the McNeill house (Willow Wall) where Johnson made his headquarters. (They were near the tiny community of Old Fields, and sometimes this battle is called the Battle of Oldfields.) [34] No weapons were fired until Kerr reached the house. At that time, Averell's advance brigade, led by Major Gibson, attacked. [35] [25] Gibson's advance brigade quickly caused the Confederate 1st Maryland Cavalry, and then the 2nd Maryland Cavalry, to flee "in the wildest confusion" without offering much resistance. [25] Many of the men in the Union cavalry shouted "Remember Chambersburg" as they attacked. [27] About 200 men were captured from the Maryland cavalry units. [36]

Gibson's Brigade continued south, waking the 37th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry. This unit fled in all directions, and Gibson's men did not need to shoot. This left the 36th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, between Gibson's Brigade and General Johnson's headquarters at the McNeill house. The 36th offered the best resistance Gibson had faced so far, but the surprised Confederates were forced to retreat toward the McNeill farm. Near the McNeill house the men from the Confederate Baltimore Battery attempted to fire canister from their two guns, but the unit and guns were captured by the 8th Ohio Cavalry before they could be fired. [36] General Johnson was nearly captured when his headquarters was partially surrounded by Union cavalry. He escaped out the back door and jumped on a horse—racing south to the 8th Virginia Cavalry. [Note 4]

The 8th Virginia Cavalry had enough warning from the commotion that its colonel ordered the men to horse, and they formed a line of battle. After a close fight, the 8th Virginia was overwhelmed and joined other Confederates fleeing to the river. During this fight, Captain Kerr (leader of Averell's advance scouts) was shot in the face and thigh—and his horse was killed. [36] His wounds were not fatal, and he was able to capture the battle flag of the 8th Virginia using his saber. He was eventually awarded the Medal of Honor for his action. [38] General Johnson noted in his report that "Besides the First and Second Maryland and a squadron of the Eighth Virginia there was not a saber in the command." [39] This was a disadvantage in cavalry warfare, and Johnson's men were insufficiently armed for close combat with one-shot muskets. He added that "The long [E]nfield musket once discharged could not be reloaded, and lay helpless before the charging saber." [39]

Colonel William E. Peters was able to get his 21st Virginia Cavalry Regiment ready for the oncoming Union cavalry, but was driven back across the river. Earlier, Peters had refused to burn Chambersburg and General McCausland had him arrested. However, the arrest was revoked a short time later, and Peters led the rear guard when they left the burning town. [40] He performed relatively well at Moorefield, leading portions of his regiment while they slowed the Federal advance on the south side of the river. [Note 5]

At the river

Gen. John McCausland JMcCausland.jpg
Gen. John McCausland

McCausland's Brigade was on the south side of the South Branch of the Potomac River. The 14th Virginia Cavalry, commanded by Captain Edwin E. Bouldin, was the portion of McCausland's Brigade camped closest to the ford where the road crossed the river. Bouldin faced a mob of men crossing the river that consisted of a mix of Union and Confederate soldiers. For a short while, he was able to slow down Gibson's Brigade—which was becoming scattered and disorganized. After hearing the gunfire, Lieutenant Colonel John T. Radford ordered the 22nd Virginia Cavalry into the fray. Radford's cavalry rode to the west side of the 14th Virginia, and joined the fight. [41]

Averell had anticipated resistance at the river, and had Powell's Brigade ready. Major Seymour B. Conger of the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry led the attack across the river on the east side of the main road. On the west side of the road, the Lincoln Cavalry crossed the river unopposed. The New Yorkers circled behind the 22nd Virginia, forcing the regiment to retreat from the riverbank. [41]

Averell's men blamed McCausland for the burning of Chambersburg. In their zeal to get to McCausland's Brigade, they neglected their prisoners who were supposed to be moving north to the rear of Averell's force. This enabled many prisoners from Johnson's Brigade to escape. [42] Among the men who crossed the river were General Johnson and Colonel Peters. After Johnson crossed the river, he "expected to find Brigadier-General McCausland with his command well in hand". [39] However, McCausland was in Moorefield—3 miles (4.8 km) away from his command. [39] Johnson and remnants of the 27th Virginia Battalion joined with Colonel Peters and a large portion of the 21st Virginia behind the camps belonging to McCausland's Brigade. They formed a battle line and fired into Gibson's Brigade, but Gibson was soon reinforced by Conger's regiment. Peters was seriously wounded in the fighting. [41]

Continuing their charge after McCausland's Brigade, the Union cavalry charged into the camp of the 16th Virginia Cavalry, which fled without resisting. [Note 6] Conger's 3rd West Virginia turned eastward and pursued rebels fleeing east down the road to Wardensville and Winchester. The 17th Virginia Cavalry was camped near some woods east of the main road, and had more time to prepare for the attack. They formed a battle line while three companies waited behind a fence. Initially, they repulsed Conger's men, forcing them to retreat. [44] However, Conger was soon reinforced by Colonel Powell and the 1st West Virginia Cavalry, which was commanded by Colonel Henry Capehart. The two regiments charged the Virginians and drove them down the road or into the woods. During this time, Conger was killed by a lieutenant from the 17th Virginia. The Virginian was wearing a blue coat that fooled Conger into thinking he was from Conger's regiment. [44] The two West Virginia regiments continued to pursue the Confederates down the road, and captured McCausland's two pieces of artillery. [45] Eventually, some of the fleeing rebels ran into Major Work's 22nd Pennsylvania, and had to scatter to the woods. Work's men captured 34 of them. [46]

The fighting and pursuit of McCausland's Brigade endured for about 4 miles (6.4 km) until everyone was so scattered that pursuit was useless. Many of the Confederates were afraid of retaliation for their acts in Chambersburg, and did not want to get caught with the money and items they took. This increased their desperation to flee Averell's men, and caused them to leave their loot behind. A considerable amount of money was recovered from the rebel camps. [47]

Aftermath

Gen. William W. Averell William W. Averell.jpg
Gen. William W. Averell

This battle was the last of the seven battles in Early's campaign against the B&O Railroad. [48] One Union soldier, who was in the battle, estimated that the "loss to the enemy in killed, wounded and captured was near eight hundred". [Note 7] The National Park Service lists estimated Confederate casualties as 500. [34] The final report said that Averell captured 38 officers and 377 enlisted men in addition to killing at least 13 and wounding 60. The Confederate losses to capture might have been higher, but due to the speed of the Union advance many Confederates initially captured were able to escape as they were sent to the rear. The victory cost Averell 11 killed, including 2 officers, 18 wounded, and 13 captured. [29] Those captured were probably stragglers found by McNeill's rangers, who operated in the Moorefield area and chose not to camp with McCausland's brigades. [29]

The ill feelings between Johnson and McCausland continued, and they blamed each other for the defeat. McCausland later wrote "The affair at Moorefield was caused by the surprise of Johnson's brigade." [50] He also wrote that he knew of the approach of Averell, and made the "necessary orders" to confront Averell if necessary. [50] Johnson's report said he followed orders in all instances, including where to make camp and "where to place pickets." [35] His report also noted that McCausland was not with his brigade, and was sleeping 3 miles (4.8 km) away in Moorefield while his "utterly unprepared" brigade was being attacked. [51] Johnson also complained about "the outrageous conduct of the troops on this expedition". [51] He was especially unhappy with the conduct of the Confederate soldiers while in Pennsylvania and Maryland. He reported that "Highway robbery of watches and pocket-books was of ordinary occurrence; the taking of breast-pins, finger-rings, and ear-rings frequently happened. Pillage and sack of private dwellings took place hourly. A soldier of an advance guard robbed of his gold watch the Catholic clergyman of Hancock on his way from church on Sunday...." [51]

Moorefield was another major victory for Averell, who typically did well when operating on his own, but had difficulty with direct supervision where he was expected to work in concert with others. He had already scored victories at Droop Mountain and Rutherford's Farm, and was one of the few Union cavalry leaders that achieved success in the east before the arrival of General Philip Sheridan. [52] Major Stephen P. Halsey of the 21st Virginia described Averell's victory at Moorfield as "one of the most brilliant achievements of the war". [53] Major Theodore F. Lang, from the 6th West Virginia Cavalry, wrote that the "fight was one of the most signal victories for the Union cause during the war". [54]

The devastating loss crippled Early's cavalry in the Shenandoah Valley. [34] It became half the size it was, and had two of its better brigades decimated. The loss also demoralized the remaining members of Early's cavalry. [43] Early later wrote that the battle had "a very damaging effect upon my cavalry for the rest of the campaign." [55] The victory also marked the beginning of the "permanent ascendancy of the Union cavalry in the Shenandoah Valley". [56]

Notes

Footnotes

  1. McCausland was an alumnus of the Virginia Military Institute, which had been burned by Union General David Hunter during June 1864. [6] Johnson and many of his soldiers were from Maryland. [7]
  2. Averell's 1st Cavalry Brigade consisted of the 8th Ohio Cavalry and the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry regiments. His 2nd Brigade consisted of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd West Virginia Cavalry regiments. [10] On August 4, 500 additional men from the 1st New York "Lincoln" Cavalry and the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry were detached from Brigadier General Alfred N. Duffié's command to assist Averell. This increased his force to 1,760 men. [11]
  3. The 2nd West Virginia Cavalry was Powell's original regiment, and he had been its commander. At this time, it was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel John J. Hoffman. [30] This regiment may not have been as well armed as other regiments in Averell's command. The 1st West Virginia Cavalry was armed with Spencer repeating rifles during the spring of 1863. [31] Private Joseph Sutton of the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry, when complimenting the newly equipped 8th Ohio Cavalry during May 1864 said "we felt littleness compared to that grand body". [32] Sutton described some of the fighting for some of the men from his regiment during the July 1864 Battle of Kernstown as involving "vigorous use of revolver and saber"—no mention of repeating rifles. [33]
  4. Historian Scott Pachan's book described Johnson's escape out the house's back door. [36] Averell's report described things differently, saying "General Johnson was captured, with his colors and three of his staff, but, passing undistinguished among other prisoners, effected his escape." [25] Johnson's report said "From the back door of my headquarters, they being around me, I galloped to the Eighth Virginia Cavalry...." [35] At least two other sources say Johnson was captured but escaped, although they do not state if the capture was at the McNeill house or elsewhere later in the battle. [37] [16]
  5. Johnson's report said Peters "formed and stopped their crossing for some time, with a loss to them, since ascertained, of 2 majors and 38 men." [35] A second source says most of Peters' regiment was captured, but Peters "rallied a squadron of men from the 21st Virginia" and "intermingled with the Federals" on the south side of the river. [36]
  6. Averell's report of the Confederate soldiers scattering or fleeing in confusion was not an exaggeration. A Richmond newspaper reporter, who was at the battle, wrote that the two Confederate brigades were "stampeded and routed", and that soldiers were "scattering in wild disorder and confusion and running in different directions". [43]
  7. The estimate of 800 casualties was made by private Joseph Sutton of the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry. [47] Averell's August 8, 1864, report said "The number of killed and wounded of the enemy is unknown, but large. Three battle-flags were captured, with 4 pieces of artillery (all the enemy had), 420 prisoners, including 6 field and staff and 32 company officers, over 400 horses and equipments, and a number of small arms." [49] General Benjamin F. Kelley's September 17 report said that Averell captured "27 commissioned officers and 393 enlisted men, 4 guns, with limbers and caissons, large quantities of small arms, and 400 horses and equipments." [19]

Citations

  1. Patchan 2007 , p. 1
  2. Sutton 2001 , p. 138
  3. Patchan 2007 , p. 259
  4. "Battle Summary: Kernstown, Second". National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  5. United States 1891 , p. 324
  6. "Hunter's Raid - General David Hunter and the Burning of VMI, June 1864". Virginia Military Institute. Retrieved 2017-02-26.
  7. Patchan 2007, p. 275
  8. Pond 1912 , p. 100
  9. Pond 1912 , p. 101
  10. Patchan 2007, p. 330
  11. Patchan 2007, p. 290
  12. Pond 1912 , p. 102
  13. Patchan 2007 , p. 280
  14. Bernstein 2011 , p. 118
  15. Pond 1912 , p. 104
  16. 1 2 Trimpi 2010 , p. 137
  17. 1 2 Sutton 2001 , p. 148
  18. 1 2 Ainsworth & Kirkley 1902 , p. 493
  19. 1 2 Ainsworth & Kirkley 1902, p. 3
  20. Patchan 2007 , pp. 285–286
  21. Patchan 2007 , pp. 289
  22. 1 2 Patchan 2007 , p. 291
  23. 1 2 Patchan 2007 , p. 292
  24. "Moorefield attack 150 years ago "had very damaging effect" on Confederate campaign". Charleston Gazette-Mail. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  25. 1 2 3 4 Ainsworth & Kirkley 1902 , p. 494
  26. Patchan 2007 , p. 296
  27. 1 2 3 Sutton 2001 , p. 149
  28. 1 2 Patchan 2007 , p. 298
  29. 1 2 3 Snell 2011 , p. last page of Chapter 7 in e-book
  30. Sutton 2001, p. 5
  31. Lang 1895, p. 164
  32. Sutton 2001, p. 125
  33. Sutton 2001, p. 143
  34. 1 2 3 "Battle Detail - Moorefield". National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2017-01-28.
  35. 1 2 3 4 Ainsworth & Kirkley 1902 , p. 5
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 Patchan 2007 , p. 301
  37. Walsh 2002, p. 457
  38. "Thomas R. Kerr, United States Army". Arlington National Cemetery. Retrieved 2017-04-22.
  39. 1 2 3 4 Ainsworth & Kirkley 1902 , p. 6
  40. Bernstein 2011 , p. 117
  41. 1 2 3 Patchan 2007 , p. 303
  42. Patchan 2007 , p. 302
  43. 1 2 Starr 2007 , p. 244
  44. 1 2 Patchan 2007 , p. 304
  45. Patchan 2007 , p. 305
  46. Patchan 2007 , p. 306
  47. 1 2 Sutton 2001 , p. 150
  48. "Civil War Battle Summaries by Campaign". National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2017-03-26.
  49. Ainsworth & Kirkley 1902, p. 495
  50. 1 2 Sutton 2001 , p. 153
  51. 1 2 3 Ainsworth & Kirkley 1902 , p. 7
  52. Patchan 2007 , p. 119
  53. Patchan 2007 , p. 307
  54. Lang 1895 , p. 200
  55. Early 1867 , p. 59
  56. Patchan 2007 , p. 310

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William W. Averell</span> American diplomat

William Woods Averell was a career United States Army officer and a cavalry general in the American Civil War. He was the only Union general to achieve a major victory against the Confederates in the Valley Campaigns of 1864 prior to the arrival of Philip Sheridan, at the Battle of Rutherford's (Carter's) Farm and at the Battle of Moorefield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Third Battle of Winchester</span> Battle in the American Civil War

The Third Battle of Winchester, also known as the Battle of Opequon or Battle of Opequon Creek, was an American Civil War battle fought near Winchester, Virginia, on September 19, 1864. Union Army Major General Philip Sheridan defeated Confederate Army Lieutenant General Jubal Early in one of the largest, bloodiest, and most important battles in the Shenandoah Valley. Among the 5,000 Union casualties were one general killed and three wounded. The casualty rate for the Confederates was high: about 4,000 of 15,500. Two Confederate generals were killed and four were wounded. Participants in the battle included two future presidents of the United States, two future governors of Virginia, a former vice president of the United States, and a colonel whose grandson, George S. Patton became a famous general in World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Cloyd's Mountain</span> Battle of the American Civil War

The Battle of Cloyd's Mountain was a Union victory in western Virginia on May 9, 1864, that allowed the Union forces to destroy a large bridge on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. The railroad was used to carry Confederate troops and supplies, and served important lead and salt mines. It also helped connect the Confederate capital of Richmond with Tennessee, and had telegraph wires along its line for communications. The fight had a high percentage of casualties for both sides, and the Confederate commander, Brigadier General Albert G. Jenkins, was mortally wounded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Second Battle of Kernstown</span> 1864 battle of the American Civil War

The Second Battle of Kernstown was fought on July 24, 1864, at Kernstown, Virginia, outside Winchester, Virginia, as part of the Valley Campaigns of 1864 in the American Civil War. The Confederate Army of the Valley under Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early soundly defeated the Union Army of West Virginia under Brig. Gen. George Crook and drove it from the Shenandoah Valley back over the Potomac River into Maryland. As a result, Early was able to launch the Confederacy's last major raid into northern Union territory, attacking the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in Maryland and West Virginia and burning Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in retaliation for the burning of civilian houses and farms earlier in the campaign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valley campaigns of 1864</span> American Civil War operations and battles

The Valley campaigns of 1864 began as operations initiated by Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant and resulting battles that took place in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia during the American Civil War from May to October 1864. Some military historians divide this period into three separate campaigns. This article considers them together, as these campaigns interacted and built upon each other.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Cove Mountain</span> Battle in the American Civil War

The Battle of Cove Mountain occurred in Wythe County, Virginia, on May 10, 1864, during the American Civil War. A Union cavalry division commanded by Brigadier General William W. Averell was prevented from attacking a lead mine located near Wytheville. Confederate forces commanded by Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan, with a detachment of a brigade of cavalry from the command of Brigadier General William E. "Grumble" Jones, stopped Averell at Cove Gap, adjacent to Crockett's Cove and Cove Mountain.

The town of Romney, Virginia, traded hands between the Union Army and Confederate States Army no fewer than 10 times during the American Civil War, assuming the occupying force spent at least one night in the town. The story of the small town is emblematic of the many military campaigns that swept through western Virginia and, later, the new state of West Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John McCausland</span> Confederate Army general

John McCausland, Jr. was a brigadier general in the Confederate army, famous for the ransom of Hagerstown, Maryland, and the razing of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, during the American Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Droop Mountain</span> Battle in the American Civil War

The Battle of Droop Mountain occurred in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, on November 6, 1863, during the American Civil War. A Union brigade commanded by Brigadier General William W. Averell defeated a smaller Confederate force commanded by Brigadier General John Echols and Colonel William L. "Mudwall" Jackson. Confederate forces were driven from their breastworks on Droop Mountain, losing weapons and equipment. They escaped southward through Lewisburg, West Virginia; hours before a second Union force commanded by Brigadier General Alfred N. Duffié occupied the town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment</span> United States Civil War military unit

The 1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Although it started slowly, it became one of the most active and effective of the West Virginia Civil War regiments—and had 14 Medal of Honor recipients, the most for any West Virginia regiment during the war. It was originally called the 1st Virginia Cavalry, not to be confused with the Confederate 1st Virginia Cavalry. Some reports added "Union," "Loyal" or "West" when identifying this regiment. After the Unionist state of West Virginia was officially admitted to the Union in 1863, the regiment became the 1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment. The National Park Service identifies it as the 1st Regiment, West Virginia Cavalry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd West Virginia Cavalry Regiment</span> Military unit

The 2nd West Virginia Cavalry Regiment served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was organized in Parkersburg, Virginia during September 1861. Most of the original members of this regiment were from southeastern Ohio, and planners thought that this regiment would become the 4th Ohio Cavalry. Their application was rejected by the governor of Ohio, so the unit became the 2nd Regiment of Loyal Virginia Volunteer Cavalry. The "Loyal Virginia" part of the name was replaced with "West Virginia" after the state of West Virginia was officially admitted to the Union in 1863. Today, the National Park Service lists them as 2nd Regiment, West Virginia Cavalry under a heading of Union West Virginia Volunteers.

The following Union Army units and commanders fought in the Battle of Opequon in the American Civil War. The Confederate order of battle is listed separately. The battle was fought on September 19, 1864 near Winchester, Virginia, and Opequon Creek. The battle is also known as the Third Battle of Winchester and the Battle of Opequon Creek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">45th Virginia Infantry Regiment</span> Military unit

The 45th Virginia Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment raised in the Commonwealth of Virginia for service in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It fought mostly in the mountainous area that today encompasses the border regions of Virginia and West Virginia, and was part of Jubal Early's Army of the Valley during the Valley Campaigns of 1864.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Henry Powell (soldier)</span> American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient

William Henry Powell was an American soldier who fought for the Union in the American Civil War. He was a leader in the iron and nail business before the war, and his leadership abilities proved useful in the military. Powell began as a captain, and quickly ascended to higher roles in the cavalry, including commanding a regiment, a brigade, and then a division. Powell was awarded his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for heroism at Sinking Creek, Virginia, when, as leader of a group of 22 men, he captured an enemy camp and took over 100 prisoners. This was accomplished without the loss of any of his men on November 26, 1862. He was honored with the award on July 22, 1890.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas R. Kerr</span> US Army officer and Medal of Honor recipient (1843–1926)

Thomas R. Kerr was a soldier in the Union Army in the American Civil War. Kerr received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor. Kerr's medal was won for his capturing the flag of the Confederate 8th Virginia Cavalry Regiment at Moorefield in West Virginia on August 7, 1864. He was honored with the award on June 13, 1894.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">18th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment</span> 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment in the American Civil War 1862–1865

The 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was present for 50 battles, beginning with the Battle of Hanover in Pennsylvania on June 30, 1863, and ending with a skirmish at Rude's Hill in Virginia during March 1865. A majority of its fighting was in Virginia, although its first major battle was in Pennsylvania's Gettysburg campaign. It was consolidated with the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment on June 24, 1865, to form the 3rd Provisional Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of White Sulphur Springs</span> Battle in the American Civil War

The Battle of White Sulphur Springs, also known as the Battle of Rocky Gap or the Battle of Dry Creek, occurred in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, on August 26 and 27, 1863, during the American Civil War. A Confederate Army force commanded by Colonel George S. Patton defeated a Union brigade commanded by Brigadier General William W. Averell. West Virginia had been a state for only a few months, and its citizens along the state's southern border were divided in loyalty to the Union and Confederate causes. Many of the fighters on both sides were West Virginians, and some were from the counties close to the site of the battle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">14th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment</span> 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry in the American Civil War 1862–1865

The 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War. Most of its fighting happened in the last half of 1863 and full year 1864. The regiment fought mainly in West Virginia and Virginia, often as part of a brigade or division commanded by Brigadier General William W. Averell and later Brigadier General William Powell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moorefield order of battle</span>

The following army units were involved in the Battle of Moorefield on August 7, 1864, near Moorefield, West Virginia, in the American Civil War. The Union Army units, and their commanders, are listed first. The Confederate Army units, and their commanders, follow. Three of the Union regiments were organized in West Virginia, and all of the Confederate regiments were organized in either Virginia, or Maryland. Most of the fighting took place within Hardy County. A small Union division commanded by Brigadier General William W. Averell surprised a larger Confederate force commanded by Brigadier General John McCausland and captured over 400 men. McCausland's force had burned the city of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, on July 30.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">23rd Virginia Infantry Battalion</span> United States Civil War military unit

The 23rd Virginia Infantry Battalion, often called "Derrick's Battalion", was an infantry battalion in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. It fought mostly in western Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, and was usually part of a brigade commanded by John Echols or George S. Patton. By 1864, the brigade was usually part of a division commanded by Major General John C. Breckinridge or Brigadier General Gabriel C. Wharton. Do not confuse this battalion with the 23rd Virginia Infantry Regiment that fought mostly in eastern Virginia as part of the Army of Northern Virginia.

References