Battle of Opequon

Dates:

September 19, 1864

Other Names:

Third Winchester

Location:

Opequon, Virginia

Key Individuals Involved in the Battle of Opequon:

Union: Major General Philip Sheridan
Confederate: Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early

Outcome:

Union Victory. 8,630 casualties of which 5,020 were Union soldiers.

Overview of the Battle:

After Kershaw’s division left Winchester to rejoin Lee’s army at Petersburg, Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early renewed his raids on the B and O Railroad at Martinsburg, badly dispersing his four remaining infantry divisions. On September 19, Sheridan advanced toward Winchester along the Berryville Pike with the VI and XIX Corps, crossing Opequon Creek. The Union advance was delayed long enough for Early to concentrate his forces to meet the main assault, which continued for several hours. Casualties were very heavy. The Confederate line was gradually driven back toward the town. Mid-afternoon, Crook’s (VIII) Corps and the cavalry turned the Confederate left flank. Early ordered a general retreat. Confederate generals Rodes and Goodwin were killed, Fitzhugh Lee, Terry, Johnson, and Wharton wounded. Union general Russell was killed, McIntosh, Upton, and Chapman wounded. Because of its size, intensity, and result, many historians consider this the most important conflict of the Shenandoah Valley.
Source: CWSAC Battle Summaries