Sheridan’s Valley Campaign of Virginia
The Shenandoah Valley, a fertile and strategically vital region in Virginia, played a pivotal role throughout the American Civil War. In the summer of 1864, with the war entering its final stages, Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant recognized the valley’s continued importance to the Confederate war effort and the vulnerability it posed to Washington D.C. Frustrated with previous Union commanders’ inability to decisively defeat Confederate forces in the area, Grant sought a leader with the aggression and tactical acumen to secure the valley once and for all.
That leader was Union Major General Philip Sheridan, a cavalry commander known for his relentless pursuit of the enemy and his ability to inspire his troops. Sheridan was handpicked by Grant to command all Union forces in the Shenandoah Valley, forming what would be known as the Army of the Shenandoah. His primary objective was clear: to neutralize the Confederate threat in the valley, cripple their ability to supply Robert E. Lee’s army, and ultimately pave the way for a Union victory.
The campaign, primarily waged in Virginia with minor skirmishes in West Virginia, unfolded between August and October 1864, encompassing a series of significant battles and engagements. Sheridan’s initial approach was deliberate, influenced by the looming presidential election of 1864. Any major Union defeat could have jeopardized President Abraham Lincoln’s chances of re-election, a risk Sheridan was unwilling to take. However, beneath this cautious exterior lay a determination to systematically dismantle the Confederate presence in the valley.
Early Engagements and Shifting Tides
The campaign commenced with a series of encounters that tested both sides’ strengths and weaknesses.
- Guard Hill (August 16, 1864): Also known as the Battle of Front Royal or Cedarville, this clash in Warren County, Virginia, saw Confederate forces under General Joseph Kershaw and General Fitzhugh Lee, led by Lieutenant General Richard Anderson, dispatched from Petersburg to reinforce General Jubal Early’s army. Union cavalry, led by Brigadier General Wesley Merritt, surprised the Confederate columns crossing the Shenandoah River at Front Royal, capturing around 300 soldiers. The Confederates regrouped, forcing the Union brigades to retreat to Cedarville. The battle, ultimately inconclusive, resulted in an estimated 550 casualties, foreshadowing the intense fighting to come.
- Summit Point (August 21, 1864): Near Charles Town, in Jefferson County, West Virginia, this engagement also went by the names Battle of Flowing Springs or Cameron’s Depot. As Sheridan concentrated his army near Charles Town, Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early and Major General Richard H. Anderson launched a coordinated attack on Union forces. The Union troops staged effective delaying actions before retreating near Halltown the next day. The inconclusive battle led to approximately 1,000 casualties.
- Smithfield Crossing (August 25–29, 1864): Fought in Jefferson and Berkeley Counties, West Virginia, this battle marked the last Civil War engagement in West Virginia. Confederate infantry divisions under Lieutenant General Jubal Early crossed Opequon Creek at Smithfield Crossing, pushing Wesley Merritt’s Union cavalry division back to Charles Town. However, a counterattack by Union General James Ricketts’ infantry division halted the Confederate advance, resulting in an inconclusive outcome.
- Berryville (September 3-4, 1864): Taking place in Clarke County, Virginia, Major General Philip Sheridan’s divisions marched south from Halltown, reaching Berryville on September 3. Union General George Crook’s corps elements went into camp, and Confederate General Joseph Kershaw’s infantry division attacked with limited results. During the night, Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early brought up his entire army but found General Sheridan’s position too firmly entrenched to assault by daylight. General Early withdrew after dark behind Opequon Creek. The inconclusive battle resulted in an estimated total casualties of 500.
Decisive Battles and the "Burning"
The campaign’s momentum shifted dramatically in September, marked by a series of decisive Union victories that would ultimately break the Confederate hold on the Shenandoah Valley.
- Opequon (September 19, 1864): Also known as the Third Battle of Winchester, this engagement in Frederick County, Virginia, proved to be the largest and most fiercely contested battle of the campaign. As Confederate forces under Jubal Early raided the B&O Railroad at Martinsburg, Sheridan launched a major offensive towards Winchester. The Union advance was initially delayed, allowing Early to concentrate his forces. The ensuing battle raged for hours, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. In the mid-afternoon, Union forces, led by Brigadier General George Crook, turned the Confederate left flank, forcing Early to order a general retreat. Confederate Generals Robert Rodes and Archibald Godwin were killed, and Generals Fitzhugh Lee, William Terry, Edward Johnson, and John Wharton were wounded. Union General David A. Russell was killed, and Generals John B. McIntosh, Emery Upton, and George Chapman were wounded. The Union victory at Opequon was a turning point in the campaign, resulting in an estimated 5,020 Union and 3,610 Confederate casualties.
- Fisher’s Hill (September 21-22, 1864): Following their defeat at Opequon, Early’s Confederate army retreated to a strong defensive position at Fisher’s Hill, south of Strasburg, in Shenandoah County, Virginia. On September 21, the Union army advanced, pushing back skirmishers and capturing key high ground. On September 22, Crook’s Corps flanked Early’s position, launching a surprise attack that shattered the Confederate lines. The Confederate defense collapsed, and Early was forced to retreat to Rockfish Gap near Waynesboro. This victory opened the Shenandoah Valley to Union forces, leading to a scorched-earth policy known as the "Burning" or "Red October." Mills and barns from Staunton to Strasburg were burned, depriving the Confederacy of vital resources. The Union victory resulted in estimated casualties of 528 Union and 1,235 Confederate.
- Tom’s Brook (October 9, 1864): Also called the Battle of Woodstock Races, this engagement took place in Shenandoah County, Virginia. Following his victory at Fisher’s Hill, Major General Philip Sheridan pursued Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s army up the Shenandoah Valley to near Staunton. On October 6, Sheridan began withdrawing, as his cavalry burned everything deemed of military significance, including barns and mills. Reinforced by Confederate General Joseph Kershaw’s division, General Early followed. Confederate Major General Thomas Rosser arrived from Petersburg to take command of General Fitz Lee’s cavalry division and harassed the retreating Federals. On October 9, Union Brigadier General Alfred Torbert’s troopers turned on their pursuers, routing Generals Thomas Rosser and Lundsford Lomax’s divisions at Tom’s Brook. With this victory, the Union cavalry attained overwhelming superiority in the Shenandoah Valley. Estimated casualties included 57 Union and 350 Confederate.
- Cedar Creek (October 19, 1864): The culmination of the campaign came at Cedar Creek, an extensive engagement spanning Frederick, Shenandoah, and Warren Counties, Virginia. In a daring surprise attack at dawn, Early’s Confederate forces initially routed the Union army, catching them off guard. However, Sheridan, who was away at Winchester, famously rode to the battlefield, rallying his troops and launching a devastating counterattack in the afternoon. The Union victory at Cedar Creek shattered the Confederate army in the Shenandoah Valley, effectively ending their ability to wage offensive operations in the region. The victory, and Sheridan’s role in it, boosted President Lincoln’s popularity and contributed to his re-election. The Union victory resulted in estimated casualties of 5,665 Union and 2,920 Confederate.
Aftermath and Legacy
Sheridan’s Valley Campaign of 1864 was a resounding success for the Union. The Shenandoah Valley, once a vital artery for the Confederacy, was now firmly under Union control. The Confederate army in the valley was decimated, and their ability to supply Lee’s army was severely crippled. Sheridan’s victories not only secured the region but also had a significant impact on the political landscape, bolstering Lincoln’s re-election prospects and paving the way for the Union’s ultimate triumph in the Civil War.
The campaign, however, was not without its controversies. The "Burning," while strategically effective, remains a subject of debate, with some criticizing its harsh impact on the civilian population. Nevertheless, Sheridan’s Valley Campaign stands as a testament to his military leadership and his ability to execute a complex and strategically important operation. It remains a significant chapter in the history of the Civil War, forever etching the names of Sheridan and the Shenandoah Valley into the annals of American history.