Battle of Berryville facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Berryville
Part of the American Civil War
Date September 3–4, 1864 Location Clarke County, Virginia Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
George Crook	Richard H. Anderson
Strength
2 Divisions	Division
Casualties and losses
314	295

Map of Berryville Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program.

The Battle of Berryville was a short but intense fight during the American Civil War. It happened on September 3 and 4, 1864, in Clarke County, Virginia. This battle was part of a larger series of events known as Sheridan's Valley Campaign, which took place in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

What Was the Battle of Berryville?

The Battle of Berryville was a clash between the Union Army (the United States Army) and the Confederate States Army (the army of the Southern states). It took place near the end of the Civil War, a time when both sides were fighting hard for control of important areas. The battle itself was quite quick, lasting less than two days.

Who Fought in the Battle?

On the Union side, the main commander was Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan. He led a large force called the Union Army of the Shenandoah, which had about 50,000 soldiers. A key part of his army involved George Crook's forces.

For the Confederates, Lt. Gen. Jubal Early was the overall commander in the area. However, the direct Confederate forces involved in this specific battle were led by Maj. Gen. Richard H. Anderson and his division, which included Joseph B. Kershaw's troops.

Where Did the Battle Happen?

The battle took place in Clarke County, Virginia, specifically around the town of Berryville. This area was important because it was part of the fertile Shenandoah Valley, which was a key source of food and supplies for the Confederate army. Controlling the valley also offered a route for armies to move north or south.

What Led to the Battle?

Before the Battle of Berryville, Union forces under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan had been successful in other parts of the Shenandoah Valley. After taking control of Smithfield Summit on August 29, Sheridan decided to move his large army towards Berryville. His goal was to continue pushing back the Confederate forces in the valley.

At the same time, Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal Early was also moving his troops. He sent Maj. Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw's division from Winchester eastward towards Berryville. This movement set the stage for the two armies to meet.

The Battle Begins

The fighting began around 5:00 p.m. on September 3. Kershaw's Confederate division launched a surprise attack on Colonel Joseph Thoburn's Union division. Thoburn's soldiers were just getting ready to set up camp for the night when they were attacked.

The Confederates hit Thoburn's left side hard, causing that part of the Union line to break. However, other parts of the Union army quickly came to help. They rushed in to support Thoburn's struggling soldiers. As darkness fell, the fighting stopped, and both sides brought in more soldiers to strengthen their positions.

What Was the Outcome?

The next morning, on September 4, Lt. Gen. Early saw how strong the Union's defensive line had become. The Union soldiers had dug in and were ready for another fight. Realizing that attacking such a strong position would be very costly, Early decided to pull his troops back. He moved his army behind Opequon Creek, a nearby waterway, to a safer position.

Because neither side gained a clear victory and the Confederates retreated without a decisive defeat, the Battle of Berryville is considered an inconclusive battle. Both sides suffered casualties, with the Union having 314 losses and the Confederates 295. While not a major turning point, it was another small but important clash in the long and difficult American Civil War.