Battle of Guard Hill facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Guard Hill
Part of the American Civil War
Sketch of Action by Jedediah Hotchkiss.
Date August 16, 1864 (1864-08-16) Location Warren County, Virginia Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Thomas C. Devin	William Wofford
Strength
Brigades	Brigades
Casualties and losses
71	480

The Battle of Guard Hill was a fight during the American Civil War. It happened on August 16, 1864, in Warren County, Virginia. This battle was part of a bigger plan called the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, led by General Philip H. Sheridan for the Union.

Confederate soldiers, led by General Richard H. Anderson, were sent to help another general named Early. But General Wesley Merritt's Union cavalry (soldiers on horseback) surprised them. The Confederates were crossing the Shenandoah River when they were attacked. About 300 Confederate soldiers were captured.

Even after being surprised, the Confederates fought back. They slowly pushed Merritt's Union soldiers back to a place called Cedarville. The battle was very close, and neither side won a clear victory at first.

What Happened During the Battle

Map of the Guard Hill Battlefield.

On the morning of August 16, Confederate cavalry scattered the Union guards. These guards were near the Shenandoah River crossing at Front Royal. The Confederate soldiers chased them along the Front Royal Pike. They eventually reached Guard Hill, which was an important spot.

At Guard Hill, Union soldiers attacked the Confederates. These Union soldiers were part of General Thomas C. Devin's cavalry brigade. They had gotten off their horses to fight. The Confederates lost many soldiers in this attack.

Another group of Confederates, led by General William T. Wofford, tried to go around the Union forces. They waded across a stream called Crooked Run. But two brigades from New York attacked them there. These Union soldiers captured 300 Confederates.

General George A. Custer's Michigan Brigade rode to join the fight. They helped Devin's line along Crooked Run. However, Confederate cannons on Guard Hill forced the Union soldiers to move back to Cedarville.

Later that afternoon, Williams C. Wickham led a charge of Confederate soldiers. They moved towards Cedarville. General Devin brought two of his Union regiments forward to fight back. During this intense fighting, a Confederate and a Union regiment even fought with swords.

The Confederate group broke apart and went back to their positions. Wickham led another charge, which weakened the Union forces. This forced some Union soldiers to cross the river again. Even so, Devin's unit captured two flags and 139 Confederate soldiers.

The Union's plan for this victory was very well thought out. General Wesley Merritt, who commanded the 1st Division of the Union Army, confirmed that the Confederates were there. This made General Sheridan order a retreat down the valley from Front Royal.

That night, Sheridan's unit went back to their lines at Harper's Ferry. The next day, Merritt and his unit moved to Nineveh, Virginia.

Why This Battle Was Important

Historians say that the Union soldiers had more fighters and better leaders. This helped them defeat the Confederate infantry (foot soldiers). The Battle of Guard Hill was a key moment in the Shenandoah Valley campaign. It showed how the Union was gaining strength in the area.