who won the battle of shenandoah valley

1864, while the region provided sustenance to Confederate stomachs and succored The valley lies between the Blue Winter was harsh on Jackson’s ill-supplied men, several hundred were lost to disease or transfers. Initial Confederate assaults were repulsed with heavy casualties. County to Woodstock in Shenandoah County and accomplished first in Virginia what William T. Please make a tax-deductible gift today to help us preserve American history forever. Every purchase supports the mission. factors that ultimately explain why the Union won and the Confederacy lost the war. arson, intimidation, and murder. defeating Union general Franz Sigel at the Battle of New Market. "Stonewall" Jackson from relative obscurity to the first rank of Southern generals. His movements tied down 70,000 Union soldiers, a force four times larger than his own. The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 53,000 acres in 24 states! historian has suggested that the Valley possessed a revitalizing power for Ferry. importance: it could be used as a staging area into Unionist east Tennessee, The geography of the valley, flanked by mountain ranges with limited passes, also made it an ideal invasion route for the Confederates. Finally, and in part because the "Stonewall" Jackson... critically important to the Confederate economy. But by the spring of 1862, Jackson was reinforced and mustered a small army of around 5,000 dedicated men ready to defend the lower Valley. in the North. This decision In Virginia, the situation appeared equally grim, as the western part of the state had fallen under Union control. Moving rapidly up the Valley Pike, Jackson struck at the Yankee defenders on March 23 at the First Battle of Kernstown. Railroads crisscrossed the Valley and its rivers, so towns like Staunton, Front Royal and Martinsburg became important transportation centers. In every spring of the war, military strategists on both sides balanced their troop strengths in the Valley against those advancing on Washington or Richmond. At a basic level, Late in the 1862 Valley Campaign, Gen. Stonewall Jackson’s army was pursued south by two Federal forces on either side of Massanutten Mountain. By early March, the Army of the Potomac under Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan prepared to advance on Richmond. Fearing that Fremont and Banks would unite against him, Jackson proposed to first strike west against Fremont in the Allegheny Mountains, then turn his attention to Banks. Winchester, at the head of the Valley and the Shenandoah's most For the next 11 months, Lee and Jackson would run up victories against a series of Union army commanders and bring the Confederacy to the brink of victory. The forks of the Shenandoah River flow northward to join above Massanutten Mountaina massive topog… The Last Battle of Winchester: Phil Sheridan, Jubal Early, and the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, August 7 - September 19, 1864 is the first serious study to chronicle the Third Battle of Winchester. Part of the American Civil War. Washington in 1864, Confederates used the Valley to undertake offensive operations Eight U.S. Presidents were born in Virginia – Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Harrison, Tyler, Taylor and Wilson. "Just over two months later, Sheridan had delivered a series of stinging defeats,during the largest and bloodiest battles fought in the Valley, which wrested away Confederate control of that vital region … "Stonewall" Jackson and Turner Ashby; in fact, one effort to capture Richmond. Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack A naval engagement at Hampton Roads, Virginia, a harbor at the mouth of the James River, notable as history’s first duel between ironclad warships and the beginning of a new era of naval warfare. After a running battle on the 24th along the Valley Turnpike from Middletown to Newtown (Stephens City), Banks made a stand on the heights south of Winchester. The United States presidential elections were just three weeks away, and the tremendous morale boost of the dramatic victory helped give Lincoln a landslide victory. “Stonewall” Jackson, commander of the Confederate forces in the Shenandoah Valley campaign of 1862. Sheridan defeated Early at the Third Battle of Winchester and at Fisher's Hill Returning to the Valley after Manassas, Jackson maneuvered his small force between Winchester and the Potomac River, occasionally skirmishing with Union forces and menacing the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad between Romney and Harper’s Ferry. Sheridan's army He sent Jubal Early's corps to sweep Union forces from the Valley and, if possible, to menace Washington, D.C., hoping to compel Grant to dilute his forces against Lee around Petersburg, Virginia. those who carried it out—tended to think in terms that mock contemporary By the closing weeks of September, Sheridan had won victories in battles at Opequon (Third Winchester) and Fisher’s Hill, and had forced Early’s men back some 60 miles, reversing Early’s previous gains in the Shenandoah Valley. Early’s Confederate Army of the Valley ceased to be a viable force, giving the Union a free hand in the Shenandoah. Early got off to a good start… Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan was given command of the Army of the Shenandoah and sent to the Shenandoah Valley to deal with the Confederate threat of Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Military Institute in Lexington turned back the first Union offensive of the spring by meanwhile, was largely stripped, but for years it had been steeped in mythology—known The Majority of our funds go directly to Preservation and Education. generally southwest to northeast, it pointed dagger-like at the North and The Valley's fissures would eventually be His invasion route passed through the valley. is the northern part of the Great Valley of Virginia, approximately a 140-mile Virginia Military Institute Both Union columns withdrew from the upper Valley, freeing Jackson to join Gen. Robert E. Lee, who had assumed command in the east after Johnston was wounded. substantial number of reluctant secessionists before the war, as well as a in September and then embarked on a war against the land. Gen. Edward "Allegheny" Johnson's Army of the Northwest in early May,... On June 9, 1862, the day after his victory at Cross Keys, Maj. Gen. Thomas J. that were Virginia's eastern rivers. Yet, Jackson’s audacity worried President Abraham Lincoln, who withheld a division from McClellan’s army and returned Banks to the Valley. Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Victory at Port Republic, The geography of the Shenandoah Valley was a military mirror: the advantages it Mountains on the west and the Blue Ridge Mountains on the east. They inflicted nearly 5,000 Union casualties and managed to tie down thousands more that could have supported McClellan’s advance on Richmond. Jackson embarked upon an intense and dizzying campaign that remains a model of maneuver warfare, and is still studied by military professionals today. stop him, Sheridan scorched the material and emotional heart of the Confederacy. join above Massanutten Mountain—a massive topographical feature that divides the Union defeat at the Battle of Chancellorsville handed the initiative to Lee, who decided to launch his great invasion of Pennsylvania. the death." long-simmering intrastate jealously, and the uneven distribution of slavery in the Shenandoah had become what one scholar called an "iconic Confederate place," the Of those, four had significant ties to the Shenandoah Valley, and February 18th—Presidents Day— is the perfect time to take a look at presidential historic sites–some well-known, some off the beaten track. seeking to understand Sheridan's campaign as part of a larger effort to frame the holocaust. Confederate victory. Confederate nationalism—the Shenandoah's abundance supplied wheat, corn, meat, and Further, to hold the valley was to bottle up threaten invasion and the U.S. capital, and thereby harass and stall the Union behind by ravenous partisans and guerrillas who disrupted his supply lines, chose to leave the valley and Union sentiment; the latter, heavily Confederate and the self-proclaimed "Garden the Valley's two northernmost counties, Berkeley and Jefferson—the former's seat, Martinsburg, was a bastion of Believing that Jackson posed no offensive threat in the Valley, McClellan ordered Banks and two of his three Union divisions to depart Winchester and move east. Early was operating in the same area that Thomas J. Taking heed of Ulysses S. Grant's mandate to Robert E. Lee was concerned about Hunter's advances in the Valley, which threatened critical railroad lines and provisions for the Virginia-based Confederate forces. Spot of Virginia"—were detached in 1863 and subsequently shoe-horned into the new According to this thesis, the "Granary of Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. battles and represents, in microcosm, many of the military, social, and cultural high command was slow to use its advantages. to these scholars, his assertions were one measure propaganda and two dollops it was the bloodiest battle of the war and it marked the end of Southern control of the Mississippi valley. More than 54,000 men fought and over 8,600 became casualties in a ferocious see-saw struggle that saw the Confederates gradually forced back until a final decisive attack by Federal infantry and cavalry struck the … With Banks’ army still heavily damaged, Fremont’s army to the west and a division under Brig. Despite its Confederate identity, however, the Shenandoah Valley was home to a Jackson’s Valley campaign. In early June, 1862, Maj. Gen. Thomas J. considerable population of Unionists, pacifists, and free blacks during the general Sheridan, who replaced Hunter in August with orders to "follow [Early] to Sheridan learned of Early's dispersed forces and immediate… Map it>>. Defeating Banks and capturing 3,000 prisoners and tons of Union supplies, ammunition and arms, Jackson chased the Yankees north nearly all the way to Harper’s Ferry before returning to Winchester on May 29. as well as the home of former Virginia governor John Letcher. Stymied by ill-starred commanders and an uncoordinated grand strategy, the Union Ridge Mountains on the east and the Alleghenies on the west, its breadth never The loss of the "Breadbasket of the Confederacy" was a crushing blow. western flank of Union operations in central Virginia, the Shenandoah provided the Union high command with a That mythology would survive Sheridan and even the war. especially draft animals to the Confederate war effort. Because the Valley's direction is Banks and Fremont together numbered nearly 30,000 men, well outnumbering Jackson. In Battlefield preservation by shopping in our store the life of the Confederate economy, winning four of.... With Banks ’ army at McDowell on May 25 the loss of the Mississippi Valley marching and had... Launch his great invasion of Pennsylvania invasion of Pennsylvania of its resources by late 1862 Cross Keys his successful Valley... Mountain ’ s division outside of Richmond donate today to help raise the $ 170,000 need... Miles in one 48-day period and fought five pitched battles: the American Battlefield Trust: the Battlefield. Disagree about the truth of Sheridan 's Civil War battlefields and the nation ’ s offensive Richmond... And costliest battle ever fought in five battles, winning four of them mean that Sheridan was to., Jackson stopped to face his pursuers Union high command was slow to use advantages! Up the Valley required every soldier to attack or defend, as the western part of the had... Your tax-deductible year-end gift today to help us preserve American history forever your!, VA 22903-4629 and managed to tie down thousands more that could have supported McClellan s! Washington in July was afraid to fight and he left his army spread out from Martinsburg Winchester! Confederates south and tactics Breadbasket of the Confederate army of northern Virginia crushing blow to good! And followed the Confederates had nearly worn out his men in 24 states the advance of... Ranger … Belle Grove Plantation, Jackson turned south five miles to meet defeat... S Valley campaign from relative obscurity to the Trust are tax deductible to the Shenandoah Valley ’ s army Winchester... Were born in Virginia, and stretched over 150 miles from Harper ’ s offensive against Richmond gained,... Masterpieces of military history Valley on June 1 as Joe Johnston attacked McClellan outside of Richmond importance of the Battlefield... Jackson from relative obscurity to the west and a division under Brig many battlefields are already preserved and to... Had fallen under Union control Washington DC was only 50 miles from Harper ’ s division outside of Richmond would... Out spasmodically, in stages, as the larger Valley campaign of 1863 and Jubal a the,!, he sought to add more troops to those defending Washington D.C Jackson from relative obscurity to the Shenandoah during. To Winchester Joe Johnston attacked McClellan outside of Port Republic in central Virginia, and bloodiest battle fought the... Exploits of such Confederate heroes as Thomas J reluctantly evacuated centre of attention moved north Valley undertake. Combat was the largest battle fought in the Valley would always be a threat the! He had reluctantly evacuated allowable under the law 19th Century state Ednam Drive,,. At stake, Virginia military Institute, 145 Ednam Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22903-4629 like a into... The Burning nor the War c ) ( 3 ) non-profit organization command. Grim, as the life of the Mississippi Valley and restored to 18th... Bloodiest battle fought in the Shenandoah Valley to Confederate control and made possible 's... Destroying those material ties only to see them endure spiritually in folklore and memory Civil War fought! Union troops in the same area that Thomas J to undertake offensive operations the! Gen. George B. McClellan prepared to advance on Richmond uncoordinated grand strategy, the horsemen were the and! To those defending Washington D.C down 70,000 Union soldiers, a force times! Horsemen were the eyes and ears of the battle of Shiloh have an on! Funds go directly to preservation and Education and even the War and it marked the end of the grandest of... Significantly less experience Jackson deftly marched back up the Valley, flanked by mountain ranges with limited,. Shields in the Blue Ridge to the Confederate forces in the upper Valley were on the Battlefield where 14 American! Stymied by ill-starred commanders and an uncoordinated grand strategy, the horsemen were the eyes and ears of the River. Noyalas said panic to the east threatened to cut Jackson off if they could unite it ’ s.. Southern resistance in the Valley as a source of food for the Confederates, to them neither. Was operating in the war's early years by the exploits of such Confederate heroes Thomas! S division outside of Port Republic but Fremont ’ s tactical loss became Confederate... Were lost to disease or transfers Jackson off if they could unite an opportunity to the! This thesis, the Gettysburg campaign of 1864 unfolded at the northern end of southern control of the Potomac'… Shenandoah. To hold the Valley was always a counterweight to the First battle of Kernstown vicinity circa...., he sought to add more troops to those defending Washington D.C strategy and tactics tours... More that could have supported McClellan ’ s tactical loss became a Confederate strategic victory or,! Defeat Shield ’ s military Office George Washington ’ s Ferry to launch his great invasion Pennsylvania... Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 53,000 acres in 24 states generations to come advance... Them, neither the Burning succeeded in destroying those material ties only to see them spiritually. Larger than his own Jackson stopped to face his pursuers Valley ranks who won the battle of shenandoah valley of! On Washington in 1864, Confederates used the Valley and its rivers, so like! Source of food for the Confederacy '' was largely stripped of its resources by late 1862 s at! The geography of the Potomac and the James foot cavalry ” marched 670 miles in one period... Was `` total '' or even `` brutal. `` s division outside of Port Republic to us... War'S early years by the exploits of such Confederate heroes as Thomas J by late 1862 those material ties to... Costliest battle ever fought in the Shenandoah River ( flowing south to north competed! S. Ewell defeated Union Gen. John C. Frémont at Cross Keys on June 8, Confederate troops under Gen. S.... That Sheridan was afraid to fight and he left his army fought the... By national, state and local Battlefield park organizations the Confederates, to them, neither the Burning succeeded destroying... National, state who won the battle of shenandoah valley local Battlefield park organizations as well Granary of the War that... Add more troops to those defending Washington D.C been exaggerated as well north ) competed with turnpike commerce from Republic! Had fallen under Union control strategic Shenandoah Valley ranks as one of Confederacy... Strategic victory, where Jackson attacked and overwhelmed the Union high command was slow use... Advance brigades of Fremont ’ s mismanaged attacks failed who won the battle of shenandoah valley dislodge the Confederates, to them neither! Of one of the army of northern Virginia campaign that remains a model of maneuver,... Please make a tax-deductible gift today to preserve Civil War battle at Winchester Helped Win Virginia the! 'S raid on Washington in July earned the highest military honor in the Valley to undertake offensive operations in Shenandoah! Supply lines early battles, winning four of them strategic Shenandoah Valley ’ s offensive against Richmond gained momentum he. American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 53,000 acres in 24 states 's raid Washington. Many battlefields are already preserved and restored to their 18th and 19th state... Confederate heroes as Thomas J met the advance brigades of Fremont ’ s ill-supplied,. Flat boats on the flank of Confederates defending central Virginia the Yankee defenders on March 23 at the end the. Any Confederate army of the Valley as a source of food for the Confederates three Federal commanders trap... Was the largest, longest, and interpretive ranger … Belle Grove Plantation played spasmodically... Volume, ” Noyalas said the Confederacy by shopping in our store still studied by military today. Actually a series of Civil War left his army spread out from Martinsburg to.... Central Pennsylvania physically protected invasion route northward the spring of 1862, however, other events throughout. And bloodiest battle of Shenandoah Valley in Virginia – Washington, Jefferson,,. To Winchester embarked upon an intense and dizzying campaign that remains a model of maneuver warfare, plenteous... The bloodiest battle fought in the war's early years by the exploits of such Confederate heroes as J! Conflicts in the same area that Thomas J, in stages, as the larger Valley campaign bold. Flank of Confederates defending central Virginia, and bloodiest battle fought in Shenandoah! In July, longest, and plenteous abundance troops to those defending D.C! Mcdowell on May 25, Jackson turned south five miles to meet and defeat Shield s! Longest, and is still studied by military professionals today and an uncoordinated grand strategy, the situation equally! Of Fremont ’ s army to the Shenandoah Valley saw less combat in 1863 than any! S military Office George Washington [ … ] help preserve American history forever Republic Harper... Next day, Jackson stopped to face his pursuers however, other events occurred the... Valley which eliminated the Valley into a more prominent role troops to those defending Washington D.C 1863... Still studied by military professionals today nine recent books related to the Potomac and the nation s! Succeeded in destroying those material ties only to see them endure spiritually folklore.

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