Trevilian Station, June 11-12, 1864: Wade Hampton, Philip Sheridan and the Largest All-Cavalry Battle of the Civil War

In June 1864, General Ulysses Grant ordered his cavalry commander, Philip Sheridan, to conduct a raid to destroy the Virginia Central Railroad between Charlottesville and Richmond. Sheridan fell short of his objective when he was defeated by General Wade Hampton's cavalry in a two-day battle at Trevilian Station.

The first day's fighting saw dismounted Yankees and Rebels engaged at close range in dense forest. By day's end, Hampton had withdrawn to the west. Advancing the next morning, Sheridan found Hampton dug in behind hastily built fortifications and launched seven dismounted assaults, each repulsed with heavy casualties. As darkness fell, the Confederates counterattacked, driving the Union forces from the field.

Sheridan began his withdrawal that night, an ordeal for his men, the Union wounded and Confederate prisoners brought off the field and the hundreds of starved and exhausted horses that marked his retreat, killed to prevent their falling into Confederate hands.

"1122462001"
Trevilian Station, June 11-12, 1864: Wade Hampton, Philip Sheridan and the Largest All-Cavalry Battle of the Civil War

In June 1864, General Ulysses Grant ordered his cavalry commander, Philip Sheridan, to conduct a raid to destroy the Virginia Central Railroad between Charlottesville and Richmond. Sheridan fell short of his objective when he was defeated by General Wade Hampton's cavalry in a two-day battle at Trevilian Station.

The first day's fighting saw dismounted Yankees and Rebels engaged at close range in dense forest. By day's end, Hampton had withdrawn to the west. Advancing the next morning, Sheridan found Hampton dug in behind hastily built fortifications and launched seven dismounted assaults, each repulsed with heavy casualties. As darkness fell, the Confederates counterattacked, driving the Union forces from the field.

Sheridan began his withdrawal that night, an ordeal for his men, the Union wounded and Confederate prisoners brought off the field and the hundreds of starved and exhausted horses that marked his retreat, killed to prevent their falling into Confederate hands.

19.49 In Stock
Trevilian Station, June 11-12, 1864: Wade Hampton, Philip Sheridan and the Largest All-Cavalry Battle of the Civil War

Trevilian Station, June 11-12, 1864: Wade Hampton, Philip Sheridan and the Largest All-Cavalry Battle of the Civil War

by Joseph W. McKinney
Trevilian Station, June 11-12, 1864: Wade Hampton, Philip Sheridan and the Largest All-Cavalry Battle of the Civil War

Trevilian Station, June 11-12, 1864: Wade Hampton, Philip Sheridan and the Largest All-Cavalry Battle of the Civil War

by Joseph W. McKinney

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Overview

In June 1864, General Ulysses Grant ordered his cavalry commander, Philip Sheridan, to conduct a raid to destroy the Virginia Central Railroad between Charlottesville and Richmond. Sheridan fell short of his objective when he was defeated by General Wade Hampton's cavalry in a two-day battle at Trevilian Station.

The first day's fighting saw dismounted Yankees and Rebels engaged at close range in dense forest. By day's end, Hampton had withdrawn to the west. Advancing the next morning, Sheridan found Hampton dug in behind hastily built fortifications and launched seven dismounted assaults, each repulsed with heavy casualties. As darkness fell, the Confederates counterattacked, driving the Union forces from the field.

Sheridan began his withdrawal that night, an ordeal for his men, the Union wounded and Confederate prisoners brought off the field and the hundreds of starved and exhausted horses that marked his retreat, killed to prevent their falling into Confederate hands.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781476623207
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date: 03/02/2016
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 360
File size: 20 MB
Note: This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Retired U.S. Army officer Joseph W. McKinney lives in Corrales, New Mexico.
Retired U.S. Army officer Joseph W. McKinney lives in Corrales, New Mexico.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
1. “I had rather die than be whipped”: The Battle at Yellow Tavern and the Death of J.E.B. Stuart
2. “Proper commanders. Where can they be obtained?”: Lee Defers Selecting a Cavalry Commander
3. “Strike fast and strong”: Evolution of the Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia
4. “When am I to get another horse?”: Confederate Cavalry Regiments—New Commanders, Old Problems
5. The “New Issue”: Reinforcements for Lee’s Cavalry
6. “The Very Man I want”: Philip Sheridan and His Senior Commanders
7. Veteran Volunteers: Manning, Mounting, and Arming Union Cavalry
8. “I will not fight under the orders of a Dutchman”: Changes in Composition of the Union Cavalry Corps
9. “Break up the railroad”: Grant’s Concept for a Cavalry Raid
10. “Thumping along”: The March to Louisa County
11. “An exceedingly messed up affair”: The Battle Opens on the Fredericksburg Road
12. “Where is the 9th N.Y.?”: Union Momentum Builds on the Fredericksburg Road
13. “Pardonable zeal”: Colonel Alger’s Charge to Trevilian Station
14. “Where the hell is the rear?”: Custer’s First Last Stand
15. “Roll them up like a ribbon”: Sheridan Prevails at Trevilian Station
16. “Too horrible to dwell upon”: The Night of an Unfinished Battle
17. “A theatre of bloodshed”: The Battle Continues on June 12
18. “Damn, damn, all the time”: The Union Withdrawal
19. “The most disorderly retreat I have seen”: Union Defeat at Samaria Church
20. “I regret my inability”: Assessing the Outcome of the Trevilian’s Battle and Raid
21. Old Soldiers Fade Away: Lives After the Battle
Appendix A. Order of Battle and Casualties
Appendix B. West Pointers at Trevilian Station
Appendix C. Custer’s Captured Wagons
Appendix D. Edward L. Wells and the Hampton vs. Fitz Lee Controversy
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index

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