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Battle of Lynchburg
Part of the American Civil War
Lynchburg, Virginia
Date June 17, 1864 (1864-06-17) – June 18, 1864 (1864-06-18) Location Lynchburg, Virginia Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
David Hunter	Jubal Early John C. Breckinridge
Units involved
Dept. of West Virginia	II Corps, Army of N.VA Breckinridge's Division Various cavalry units
Strength
16,643	14,000
Casualties and losses
938 103 killed/mort. wound 564 wounded 271 captured/missing	200 (estimated)
Only a portion of the II Corps arrived in time to fight in the battle, although the entire corps was available for the post-battle pursuit

The Battle of Lynchburg was fought on June 17–18, 1864, as part of the American Civil War. Over 30,000 soldiers participated in the battle, which included cavalry and infantry. The fighting took place outside of Lynchburg, Virginia. The Union Army of West Virginia, commanded by Major General David Hunter, attempted to capture the city but was repulsed by troops under the command of Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal Early. Following the battle, Confederate troops pursued the Union army as it retreated into West Virginia.

Lynchburg was important to the Confederate Army. It had three railroads, a canal, military hospitals, and was a distribution center for food and military supplies. Telecommunication lines strung along the railroads enabled Confederate military headquarters in Richmond to communicate with regional headquarters in western Virginia and Tennessee. Because of its importance, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant wanted Hunter to attack the city and its railroads.

Hunter retreated west into West Virginia after his defeat at Lynchburg. This left the Shenandoah Valley open to the Confederate Army down to Maryland. Early moved down the valley and threatened Washington, DC, until his defeat in the Battle of Fort Stevens on July 11-12. After this battle, which took place less than four miles (6.4 km) from the White House, Early began a retreat back to the Shenandoah Valley. On July 30, cavalry sent by Early, and commanded by John McCausland, moved into Pennsylvania and burned the city of Chambersburg.

Background

Grant's plan

During March 1864, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant became commander of all Union armies. Grant's strategy in Virginia was to attack the strongest Confederate Army, Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, from multiple fronts. In western Virginia, Grant targeted Lee's support system. Western Virginia provided food and supplies for Lee's army that was positioned near Richmond. Two key depots were Staunton and Lynchburg, which were 99 miles (159 km) apart—and both were over 120 miles (190 km) west of the Confederate capital of Richmond. Both towns were located on railroad lines that were used to transport troops in addition to supplies, so the railroads were also targets for the Union Army.

The Union plan of attack had Major General Franz Sigel leading the Army of the Shenandoah south in the Shenandoah Valley to capture Staunton, Virginia, which was a stop for the Virginia Central Railroad. After some debate, it was decided that an army located in West Virginia, and led by Brigadier General George Crook, would attack the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad. A major target was a large railroad bridge across the New River east of Dublin Depot. A small portion (cavalry) of Crook's army led by Brigadier General William W. Averell would attack the same railroad further west, including some salt mines located on a branch line. Crook and Averell would join Siegel at Staunton after the missions were completed. Then the combined force would attack Lynchburg.

Staunton and Lynchburg

Union Army plan to attack Confederate assets in western Virginia

Staunton is located in the Shenandoah Valley at the intersection of the Valley Pike, Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike, and the Virginia Central Railroad. The town served as a supply depot, and was the home of mills, factories, foundries, and warehouses. The Virginia Central Railroad ran through Staunton to Richmond. It carried farm products, timber, and iron in addition to being used for troop transport.

Further south, Lynchburg is located at what was the eastern terminus of the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad. The western end of the railroad connected with other railroads in Tennessee. At Lynchburg, goods could continue to Richmond using the Orange & Alexandria Railroad or the South Side Railroad. The James River and Kanawha Canal was navigable between Lynchburg and Richmond, offering another (although slower) mode for transportation. Telegraph line enabled communication between Richmond and Lynchburg, and between Lynchburg and Knoxville, Tennessee.

Because of its location, Lynchburg was the depot for food and supplies gathered from southwestern Virginia by the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad. Among vital minerals gathered were salt for food preservation and lead for bullets. Food, livestock, and manufactured goods all came from this region. Lynchburg was also the storage site for medical supplies and the home of multiple hospitals.

Failure in western Virginia

Sigel was turned back at New Market, and both Crook and Averell retreated after their missions to a camp northwest of Lewisburg

Sigel departed from Martinsburg, West Virginia, on April 29. After two weeks, he was still 50 miles (80 km) away from Staunton. Siegel did not reach Staunton because he was defeated on May 15 in the Battle of New Market by a Confederate army led by Major General John C. Breckinridge. After the battle, Siegel retreated north. Breckinridge was summoned east to assist Lee's army, and his division joined Lee on May 20.

Further west, Crook won the Battle of Cloyd's Mountain on May 9, and burned the New River railroad bridge near Central Depot (northeast of Wytheville) on May 10. Averell chose not to attack the well-guarded salt mines, and was prevented from reaching the lead mines on May 10 in the Battle of Cove Mountain. Both Crook and Averell retreated toward a camp at Meadow Bluff, West Virginia, because they had not heard from Sigel. They reached the safety of Meadow Bluff on May 19.

Hunter takes command

Major General David Hunter replaced Siegel on May 21. On June 5, he moved south in the Shenandoah Valley and defeated Confederate forces about ten miles (16 km) from Staunton in the Battle of Piedmont. Hunter, in his report, estimated that Confederate losses were 600 killed or wounded—and over 1,000 became prisoners. Among the Confederate casualties was the leader of the Confederate Army at Piedmont, Brigadier General William E. "Grumble" Jones, who was killed in action. On the next day Hunter moved his army into Staunton against no resistance. He spent the next few days destroying Confederate war materials while waiting for Crook.

In a letter dated June 6, Lieutenant General Grant wrote to Hunter saying that he should attack the "Lynchburg branch of the Virginia Central" Railroad at Lynchburg. He also urged Hunter to destroy the canal (James River and Kanawha Canal) near Lynchburg. On June 8, Hunter was joined by Crook's Army of West Virginia, including cavalry commanded by Averell. The newcomers received badly needed supplies such as boots and uniforms. Hunter reorganized his combined cavalry into two divisions.

Confederate reaction to Piedmont

Confederate forces moved from Richmond toward Staunton

Lee's response to the defeat at Piedmont was to send Breckinridge with Wharton's and Echol's brigades from the Richmond area to the Shenandoah Valley. One problem was that Breckinridge had been injured in battle when his horse fell upon him, and he could not ride horses. On June 7 the two brigades, commanded by Brigadier General Gabriel C. Wharton, boarded railcars in Richmond without Breckinridge. They rode on trains until they were near Rockfish Gap and Waynesboro on the evening of June 8.

Separate from Wharton's troops, Breckinridge arrived by rail in Charlottesville on the morning of June 9. He now had a total of about 5,000 soldiers from Wharton and Jones' defeated army. Also available to Breckinridge was a cavalry brigade located further west under the command of Brigadier General John McCausland, which would increase his cavalry to about 4,000 riders. Breckinridge also requested that Richmond send artillery for support. By June 10 Breckinridge had a temporary headquarters at Rockfish Gap, and cavalry commanded by Brigadier General John D. Imboden had arrived.

Opposing forces

Union

Further information: Union order of battle

MG David Hunter

Major General David "Black Dave" Hunter was commander of the Department of West Virginia. He was a stern man who earned his nickname "Black Dave" as a young officer because of his black hair, black beard, and dark or swarthy complexion. Some of the Union regiments under Hunter's command were equipped with seven-shot Spencer repeating rifles (or carbines). The size of the entire Union force available for duty was 16,643.

• 1st Infantry Division consisted of two brigades and was commanded by Brigadier General Jeremiah C. Sullivan. Two Maryland regiments belonged to the division, but were unassigned to brigades.
• 2nd Infantry Division consisted of three brigades and was commanded by Brigadier General George Crook. At least one historian considers Crook one of the Union's "most able generals".
• 1st Cavalry Division consisted of two brigades and was commanded by Brigadier General Alfred N. Duffié.
• 2nd Cavalry Division consisted of three brigades and was commanded by Brigadier General William W. Averell. One of the brigade commanders was Colonel James M. Schoonmaker, and his 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment had been equipped with seven-shot carbines, Colt's navy revolvers, and sabers no later than December 1863. The 1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, part of the 3rd Brigade commanded by Colonel William H. Powell, received repeating carbines in the spring of 1863.
• Artillery was assigned to one of the infantry divisions and both cavalry divisions. Captain James R. McMullin led two batteries that marched with the 2nd Infantry Division. One section of a battery rode with the 1st Cavalry Division. Four batteries, led by Captain Henry A. du Pont, rode mostly with the 2nd Cavalry Division.

Hunter's Division Commanders

• BG J.C. Sullivan, 1st Infantry
• BG G. Crook, 2nd Infantry
• BG A.N. Duffié, 1st Cavalry
• BG W.W. Averell, 2nd Cavalry

Confederate

Further information: Confederate order of battle

MG Jubal Early

• City (Lynchburg) Command - Brigadier General Francis T. Nicholls commanded a small force consisting of hospital patients, home guard consisting of under–age and too–old soldiers, cadets from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) with six artillery pieces, and the six-piece Botetourt Artillery. As of June 12, the home guard consisted of about 250 troops. Special Orders dated June 13, 1864, advised that "Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill, volunteer aide-de-camp, will proceed at once to Lynchburg, Va., to confer with Brig. Gen. F.T. Nicholls" and offer assistance.
• Breckinridge's Division, Major General John C. Breckinridge arrived on June 15 and took command of Lynchburg. Breckinridge was bedridden because of injuries suffered in an earlier battle, and gave Major General Hill unofficial command of Lynchburg. Hill set up the city's defense by positioning brigades and artillery around the city. He also ordered the construction of redoubts and trenches. Hill was assisted by Brigadier General Harry T. Hays, who was in town recovering from wounds received in battle. Major General Arnold Elzey took official command of Lynchburg, replacing Hill, on the afternoon of June 18—but participated only in the pursuit after the battle.

• Infantry - A division of two brigades came with Breckinridge, and this division was commanded by Brigadier General Gabriel C. Wharton.<need cite> Forsberg's Brigade, also known as Wharton's Brigade, was commanded by Colonel Augustus Forsberg. Patton's Brigade, also known as Echols' Brigade, was commanded by Colonel George S. Patton Sr. because of the absence of Brigadier General John Echols. Backing the infantry was King's Artillery Battalion. One historian has identified a third brigade as part of the division, known as Smith's Brigade, that was commanded by Colonel Thomas J. Smith. There is some doubt concerning this brigade and its participation at Lynchburg, since it took significant casualties in the June 5 Battle of Piedmont and its commander was captured. A June 18 battle map that accompanies the report of Jedediah Hotchkiss shows a brigade commanded by "Smith (Geo.)", possibly Colonel George Hugh Smith, instead of Thomas Smith.
• Cavalry, which reported to Breckinridge, was commanded by Major General Robert Ransom. Ransom did not arrive in Lynchburg until late afternoon on June 18. Imboden's Cavalry was commanded by Brigadier General John D. Imboden, who had command of the cavalry until Ransom arrived. McCausland's Cavalry was commanded by Brigadier General John McCausland. Hunter estimated this cavalry brigade to be about 1500 riders. Vaughn's Mounted Infantry was commanded by Brigadier General John C. Vaughn. Vaughn also had command of cavalry that had been under the command of Brigadier General William "Grumble" Jones, who had been killed in the Battle of Piedmont. Jackson's Cavalry was commanded by Colonel William L. "Mudwall" Jackson. The cavalry's horse artillery consisted of Berkeley's Battery (two guns from McClanahan's Artillery) and Lurty's Battery (two guns).

• Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (partial) - Understanding that he was outnumbered by the Union force approaching the city, Breckinridge requested more assistance from Richmond. Major General Jubal Early was sent to Lynchburg with his Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. Early arrived by train in Lynchburg on June 17 around 1:00 pm. A portion of his command rode with him. After conferring with Breckenridge, he agreed to take command of Lynchburg and modified Hill's troop placements.

• Ramseur's Division was commanded by Major General Stephen Dodson Ramseur.
• Gordon's Division (partial) was commanded by Brigadier General John B. Gordon. Only a portion of Gordon's Division arrived in time to help defend the city.

Confederate Leaders

• MG J.C. Breckinridge
• Col J. McCausland, Cavalry
• BG J.D. Imboden, Cavalry
• MG S.D. Ramseur, Infantry

Disposition of forces and movement to battle

Plan for Hunter's Raid on Lynchburg

Initially, leaders such as Grant, Lee, and Breckinridge believed that Lynchburg should/would be attacked by a movement from Staunton to Charlottesville and then southwest. Hunter's staff believed that Major General Philip Sheridan would lead his troops on a mission to Charlottesville before proceeding to Lynchburg.

On June 8 Hunter met with Averell, who proposed a plan of attack that was approved. Hunter's main force would make a movement further up the Shenandoah Valley (southwest) to Buchanan, while Duffié's 1st Cavalry Division would move east as if it was moving to Charlottesville. Instead of moving through Rockfish Gap to Charlottesville, Duffié would move southwest along the west side of the Allegheny Mountains to threaten any enemy units posted at mountain gaps. The main force would cross the mountains from Buchanan through the Peaks of Otter and then proceed east to Lynchburg (attacking from the west). Duffié would eventually cross the mountains and attack Lynchburg from the north after destroying some railroad line—all before forming a junction with Hunter's main force.

Crook had reservations about the plan. He believed Lynchburg needed to be attacked as soon as possible, and offered to conduct the attack solely with his infantry division. Imboden's cavalry was the main Confederate force between Staunton and Lynchburg, although some reports believed that more cavalry was moving to join Imboden—and Breckinridge was returning to western Virginia from Richmond. Crook's offer was rejected, and Hunter believed some delays for supplies were unavoidable. The Union army would proceed on June 10.

Hunter departs from Staunton

Hunter's departure from Staunton

• June 10: Duffié's cavalry moved east from Staunton for its feint toward Charlottesville. Encountering little resistance, he began moving southwest and camped for the night at Nelson County's Tye River Gap.
• June 10: Hunter was still waiting to be resupplied in Staunton, but chose to depart with the main force around 11:00 AM. Hunter rode with Sullivan's infantry on the road to Greensville, while Crook on the road to Brownsburg (Valley Pike) and Averell's cavalry took a road west of Crook.
• Crook's troops skirmished with McCausland's cavalry shortly after the departure from Staunton. McCausland knew that he could not stop Hunter by himself—but any delay of the Union Army would give more time for reinforcements to arrive in Lynchburg. Tactics used by McCausland included barricades across the road and ambushes.
• That evening, Crook's infantry camped near Brownsburg, while McCausland met with the superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, Colonel Francis Henney Smith, to develop a plan for defending Lexington.

Lexington

Hunter at Lexington

• Skirmishing near Lexington, mostly with artillery, began on the morning of June 11. By 4:00 PM, Hunter's victorious troops marched down Lexington's Main Street. Hungry Union soldiers foraged for food among the local residences, and buildings such as warehouses and mills were burned.
• The Virginia Military Institute (a.k.a. VMI) was burned on June 12, and the institute's statue of George Washington was removed and sent away. Before leaving town, Hunter's troops also burned the home of former Virginia governor John Letcher.
• Further east, Duffié's men continued their mission by making raids on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad.
• Hunter implied that at least two issues caused him to remain in Lexington longer than he should have. First, a wagon train of supplies had arrived in Staunton after Hunter had left, and he waited in Lexington for it to catch up to him. The second problem was that Hunter had not heard from Duffié. Hunter was concerned enough that he sent a courier with orders for Duffié to abandon his planned route and join Hunter at Lexington.
• On the morning of June 13, Hunter sent most of Averell's division on to Buchanan. Two hundred of Averell's men, under the command of Captain Ashbel F. Duncan of the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, were sent on a different mission that involved circling Lynchburg and cutting communications. Duffié arrived in Lexington on the afternoon of June 13.
• Hunter's troops left Lexington on June 14.

Elsewhere while Hunter was at Lexington

• In Lynchburg, city commander Brigadier General Francis T. Nicholls grew concerned about the Union presence on his north side, and telegraphed Confederate leadership in Richmond to request reinforcements.
• Further north on June 12, Union Major General Philip Sheridan was defeated in the Battle of Trevilian Station and moved toward Grant instead of Lynchburg.
• Breckinridge sent orders to Brigadier General John Imboden to move his cavalry toward Lynchburg.
• On June 13, Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered Lieutenant General Jubal Early to move his corps of 8,000 soldiers to the Shenandoah Valley.

Buchanan

Hunter at Buchanan

McCausland and a captain set the North River bridge on fire as Averell's cavalry approached. McCausland escaped by crossing the river under the burning bridge, while the captain was captured. It is likely that McCausland was shot at by Union soldiers who did not know who he was.

• Averell was harassed by McCausland during the movement to Buchanan, a distance of 24 miles (39 km).
• The fight for the town was brief, as Averell used artillery fire on the town for less than 40 minutes. McCausland's men retreated, and Hunter's infantry moved into the town after it was secured by Averell.
• Three iron works near Buchanan were destroyed by Averell's men on June 14.
• On the morning of June 15, Crook's division led the way through the Peaks of Otter in the Blue Ridge Mountains. By evening, they waited at the southern foot of the mountains, about seven miles (11 km) from the county seat then known as Liberty. Averell and Duffié's cavalry were sent out to scout for the enemy.
• Averell's cavalry detachment of 200 riders returned to rejoin Hunter. They were able to damage railroad line and equipment on the Orange & Alexandria and South Side railroads.

Elsewhere while Hunter was at Buchanan

• Breckinridge received a telegram at Rockfish Gap that let him know that Early was on his way and Sheridan had been driven back. With this news, Breckinridge decided to relocate to Lynchburg.
• Breckinridge arrived in Lexington on June 15 and took command of the city. His brigades arrived the next day. Breckinridge was exhausted, and his injuries from a previous battle had not healed. His friend Major General D.H. Hill happened to be in town, and Breckinridge asked him to set up a defensive perimeter.
• Early and his troopers advanced as far as Trevilian Station on June 15, and planned to be at Charlottesville by sunset. Breckinridge sent every available piece of rolling stock to Charlottesville to help move Early's soldiers.

Liberty and Lynchburg

Hunter near Liberty

• In the advance, Averell's cavalry occupied Liberty. On the morning of June 16, Hunter's infantry entered Liberty. Hunter spent the day burning buildings, and had Crook's infantry destroy rail line. Crook and his men were unhappy about the delay in movement to Lynchburg.
• While Crook was at Liberty, Averell moved toward Lynchburg. Near the end of the day, he attacked McCausland in a short action at New London. Although McCausland had been reinforced by Imboden, the Confederates moved back toward Lynchburg.
• On the evening of June 16, Hunter was believed to be somewhere west of the Big Otter River (between Liberty and New London).

Elsewhere while Hunter was near Liberty

• At 8:00 am on June 16, VMI's Corps of Cadets arrived as reinforcements for Lynchburg. They had moved via the James River and Kanawha Canal, and brought six pieces of artillery.
• Breckinridge's troops arrived in Lynchburg on June 16.
• On the evening of June 16, Early arrived in Charlottesville. He learned that Hunter was about 20 miles (32 km) west of Lynchburg, which caused him to begin a move to Lynchburg instead of the valley. He also learned that much of the damage inflicted by Duffié's cavalry on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad had been repaired.

Battle, June 17

Because of the news that Averell was skirmishing at New London, Hunter decided at 2:00 am on June 17 to join Averell near the front. He began moving there with his staff, while one of his aides was sent to Brigadier General Sullivan to get his infantry division moving. The aide could not find Sullivan, causing a two-hour delay. Hunter also sent an order to Crook, who was camping with his division near the Forest Road and Big Otter River. The order was for Crook to move south toward New London, and flank the Confederates facing Averell. Crook reached the main road to Lynchburg by 10:00 am, and waited for Sullivan.

While Crook was waiting for Sullivan, Jubal Early and one of his divisions arrived in Lynchburg during the early afternoon. After meeting the bed–ridden Breckinridge, Early agreed to take overall command and have Hill command Breckinridge's troops. Early then rode with Hill to inspect the defensive perimeter. By that time, Imboden was skirmishing with Hunter's advance (Averell). Hill's defensive perimeter was along the city border and designed to be manned by a small force. Early was concerned about enemy artillery fire from positions just outside the original perimeter, so he established a second perimeter further from the city.

Crook did not resume his march until 4:00 pm, when Sullivan caught up with him. Elsewhere, Duffié and his cavalry division moved to the Forestville Road to approach Lynchburg further north from Averell. A portion of his riders were sent to Balcony Falls (between Lexington and Lynchburg) because of a rumor that Breckenridge was there.

Quaker Meeting House

Quaker Meeting House was southwest of Lynchburg

At dawn on June 17, Averell moved toward Lynchburg using the "old road", which was approximately two miles (3.2 km) to the right of Crook's infantry. About eight miles (13 km) from Lynchburg, Averell met enemy skirmishers. Once he advanced to within sight of a Quaker Meeting House (a.k.a. "the stone church"), about four miles (6.4 km) from Lynchburg, the fighting became more serious.

Waiting for Averell near the old stone church were three Confederate cavalry brigades, with artillery, under the command of Imboden. They were positioned behind cover, and Averell would have to move across a clear field to attack them. Averell sent Schoonmaker's well-armed brigade forward, with a brigade commanded by Colonel John H. Oley on the right and Powell's brigade on the left.

At first, Imboden's force repelled Averell's attackers. However, Averell had sent a request for support to Crook, and Crook quickly responded with his three infantry brigades. Two of the brigades, commanded by Colonel Carr B. White and Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes, moved to the skirmish line and stopped the Confederates. The other brigade, commanded by Colonel Jacob M. Campbell, moved to the left and cleared the woods. Fighting for Campbell's brigade involved clubbed muskets and bayonets. Eventually the woods caught on fire and Imboden's force began being driven back toward fortifications around Lynchburg.

Seeing the danger, Early sent for Ramseur's infantry division, which repositioned to the Salem Pike at a redoubt between the old stone church and the city. A portion of Gordon's infantry division also arrived. Eventually the fighting became a stalemated artillery duel, and day became night. Ramseur's division (brigades commanded by brigadier generals Robert D. Johnston, Robert D. Lilley, and William G. Lewis) was positioned on the Confederate right, while Gordon's fighters (brigades commanded by brigadier generals Zebulon York and Clement A. Evans) were on the left. Hayes' Union brigade waited at the front line until 8:00 pm hoping to receive an order to continue the attack. Crook and Averell were in favor of a night attack, as was one of Averell's brigade commanders (Powell). Hunter and his staff preferred to continue the attack in the morning, so they spent the night at a nearby home that became their headquarters. The homeowner was an acquaintance of Hunter, and the home was called Sandusky House.

Forest Road first day

While three of Hunter's divisions approached Lynchburg along the Salem Road, Duffié's cavalry approached Lynchburg further north on the Forest Road. During the early afternoon, Imboden sent McCausland's cavalry to defend the road with a section of artillery. The road was narrow and heavily wooded on both sides, making it difficult for effective use of cavalry. McCausland positioned his force, which included some infantry, and met the dismounted Union cavalry in a wooded area by 1:30 pm. Skirmishing lasted for about two hours as the Confederates fell back a short distance. As fighting erupted further south around the Salem pike, McCausland's force fell back to about five miles (8.0 km) from the city. Duffié rested his division for the night at Clay's Mills.

First evening

The Train Deception

Hunter's report indicates the sound of trains and cheers led him to suspect more Confederate troops had arrived. At least one historian has questioned that an intentional train deception was used by Early. Jubal Early did not mention any ruse in his June 19 report or his post-war memoirs. The local Daily Virginian, and the Richmond Daily Dispatch, did not mention any trickery in their June 21 and 24 articles.

That evening, Hunter rested comfortably at Sandusky House and planned a morning attack. Early was without his corps' artillery and wagons, and he only had a portion of his entire force in place at Lynchburg. He had his soldiers put up more earthworks to strengthen his lines. Early also began a series of deceptions that led Hunter to believe more Confederate reinforcements were arriving in Lynchburg. He had the 51st Virginia Infantry Regiment march and counter-march all night, and he had a yard locomotive continuously run in and out of the city on the South Side Railroad line. Noise and the beating of drums were welcome, as was cheering. The noise from the trains convinced Union soldiers that Confederate reinforcements were arriving.

Battle, June 18

Morning situation

June 18 situation with Union assault roads circled.

By now, Hunter's army was low on ammunition and supplies, and deep in enemy territory. The various delays between Staunton and Lynchburg had diminished his advantage in troops because it allowed time for Confederate reinforcements to arrive. As Hunter and his commanders became aware of Confederate reinforcements, they became more cautious. The main Union battle line on the west side of Lynchburg began a few miles south of the Forest Road and stretched south to slightly across the Salem Pike. The terrain of woods and hills gave an advantage to the Confederate defenders.

Noticing that Confederates had strengthened their fortifications, Hunter searched for weak points that he could exploit. He sent Colonel Powel's cavalry brigade (from Averell's division) to the extreme Union right, which involved moving east in Campbell County and going through Campbell Court House. From there, Powell could move north to the south side of Lynchburg using the Campbell Court House Road. Added to Powell's brigade was a brigade of infantry and two artillery pieces. Hunter hoped to have Lynchburg approached from three points: Duffe on Forest Road, the main force on the Salem Pike, and Powell on Campbell Court House Road.

Powell at Campbell Court House Road

Powell's force began its mission during the night—either late on June 17 or early on June 18. Powell was aware that Union messengers were getting lost in the dark in unfamiliar territory, so he used a local for his guide. After wandering through the hills in the dark for hours, Powell realized that his guide was probably leading the Union force to nowhere. The guide was executed and Powell continued on his mission. Powell's force threatened Campbell Court House, and drove back some of Imboden's cavalry. Powell's cavalry got close enough to Lynchburg that it could see the town's church spires in the distance.

Duffié at Forest Road

The terrain between Forest Road and the Salem Pike made it difficult for couriers to communicate with Duffié, and he received no orders during the early morning. He began advancing along the road, on his own initiative, in the morning. Around 9:00 am he encountered McCausland's skirmishers, and near the railroad bridge over Ivy Creek the resistance became more serious. Duffié attacked and drove McCausland back from the bridge before it could be completely destroyed. At 10:30 am a courier from Averell brought an order to attack, and promised assistance. Duffié renewed his attack, and drove the Confederates back to a point about two miles (3.2 km) from the city. From there, a previously hidden infantry force stopped the Union advance. Duffié could also see dust in the air that convinced him that his left flank was in danger, and then it appeared his right flank was also in a precarious position. Near 5:00 pm, a Confederate assault aided by artillery pushed Duffié back across Backwater Creek.

Despite having driven the Confederates back twice, Duffié believed he was outnumbered. Part of this belief was from observations of Confederate troop movements that caused him to believe fresh troops from the division of Confederate Major General Robert E. Rodes had arrived. Confederate Brigadier General Wharton had marched, and counter-marched his troops—a deception that made his force appear larger than it was. Duffié's messages to Hunter expressing his fear of a Confederate force that was increasing in size may have added to Hunter's fears. Historian Charles Minor Blackford believed that an approach to Lynchburg from the north by any Union force, through Judge Daniel's Rivermont farm that was east of Duffié's position, would have been fairly easy since Early did not have the resources to protect that side of the town.

Main Union force at Salem Pike

Hunter placed his infantry and artillery across the Salem Pike

The action near the Salem Pike began more slowly than it did at Forest Road. Hunter advanced his skirmishers on the Salem Pike, followed by the two infantry divisions with artillery. Averell's cavalry was held in reserve. Sullivan's infantry was on the Union left, Du Pont's artillery was in the center across the pike, and Crook's infantry was on the right. Hoping to flank the Confederate left, Crook's division was moved further to the Union right. Sullivan, and one of his division commanders, became more concerned about the growing Confederate presence in their front.

More of Early's troops had arrived during hours before dawn, but some were still en route. Early expected a Union attack after dawn, and began making use of his artillery on Union positions around sunrise. Around 1:00 pm Early decided to push forward against the cautious Union soldiers. He began with an artillery assault on the middle of the Union line. Then Ramseur's division (brigades commanded by Johnston, Lilley, and Lewis) and Gordon's partial division (brigades commanded by York and Evans) attacked. This drove the Union skirmishers back upon Sullivan's infantry, causing a general retreat until the brigade of Colonel George D. Wells ambushed the Confederates from an advantageous position.

Hunter ordered Crook to return from his flanking maneuver through a wooded area, which Crook did promptly. The two Union infantry divisions then drove Early's soldiers back to their fortifications. Although Early's assault failed to defeat Hunter's army, it succeeded in a different way. Confederate prisoners interrogated by Hunter's staff confirmed that Early's II Corps had arrived in Lynchburg—including Early himself. The arrival of trains and the cheering of local citizens could be heard in the late afternoon, and this added credibility to the Confederate prisoners' claims. Fearing a Confederate force large than his army that was low on supplies, Hunter ordered his wagon trains to withdraw westward toward Buford Gap.

???The Confederates fell back after a half-hour of fighting, but spent the next hour and twenty minutes attempting to break through the gap between Sullivan and Duffié before withdrawing to their earthworks. A regiment of Col. Rutherford B. Hayes' brigade pursued them but were beaten back.???

Retreat

A northern route of retreat had too many obstacles, so Hunter's force retreated westward toward Charleston—with the Confederate army in pursuit.

!!!talk about the main force!!! Duffié received an order from Averell around 7:00 pm to advance, and then shortly later received another dispatch that said the army was going to retreat. No other instructions came.

Later during that morning, Powell was surprised to find out that the Union army (which had an ammunition shortage) was in full retreat, leaving his brigade in a dangerous situation. The brigade caught up with the rest of the retreating army near New London—just when the pursuing Confederates caught up with them. Averell's entire division, including Powell's brigade, became the rear guard as Hunter's army retreated west toward Charleston.

More skirmishes were fought at Bonsack and Mountain Cove, Virginia. The retreat route took the army through the communities of Salem, New Castle, and White Sulphur Springs. The army reached Charleston on July 1. Total losses were 940.

junk

On June 18, Major Generals Arnold Elzey and Robert Ransom, Jr. arrived from the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. Elzey assumed command of Breckinridge's infantry and dismounted cavalry while Ransom superseded Imboden as commander of the mounted cavalry. Early elected to remain defensive and wait for the rest of the Second Corps to arrive. The redoubt now known as Fort Early was at the center of the Confederate line, with Maj. Gen. John Brown Gordon's division on the left and Brig. Gen. William G. Lewis's brigade on the right. McCausland commanded the right flank, which included a redoubt, and Elzey's command defended the area between it and Lewis' brigade. Col. Scott Shipp's VMI cadets were placed in reserve at Spring Hill Cemetery while the inner defenses were occupied by the Confederate Home Guard.

Aftermath

One author believes Hunter wasted too much time burning buildings, and tried to pass blame for his delays onto others. In Hunter's report, he mentions "I delayed one day in Lexington" to allow his supply wagon train to catch up. He also blamed Duffié for a different delay at Lexington, although Duffié was following orders. Hunter also mentioned that Averell "had not succeeded in saving the bridge" to Buchanan, implying that Averell caused another delay.

Early moved down the valley to threaten Washington, DC.

Notes

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Further reading

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/lynchburg https://www.lynchburgmuseum.org/blog/2024/6/17/160th-anniversary-of-the-battle-of-lynchburg-june-17-18-1864

External links

• Battle of Lynchburg - American Battlefield Trust
• Lynchburg Campaign - National Park Service
• Battle Detail - National Park Service
• Speech by Captain Charles M. Blackford - Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 30 (Tufts University)
• Lynchburg During The Civil War - Historical Marker Database
• New Market and Lynchburg Campaign - National Parks Service and Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation