Battle of High Bridge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of High Bridge
Part of the American Civil War
High Bridge over the Appomattox River near Farmville, Virginia. Photographed in 1865 by Timothy H. O'Sullivan during repairs following its burning during the war. The trestles on the left were burned by retreating Confederate troops.
Date April 6, 1865 (1865-04-06) – April 7, 1865 (1865-04-07) Location Prince Edward & Cumberland County, Virginia Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
United States (Union)	Confederate States (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
April 6: Theodore Read April 7: Andrew A. Humphreys	April 6: Thomas L. Rosser April 7: William Mahone
Strength
880	1,200
Casualties and losses
847 total ~800 captured	~100

The Battle of High Bridge was actually two small battles fought during the American Civil War. They happened on April 6 and April 7, 1865, near the end of the war. These battles took place about 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of Farmville, Virginia. The main goal was to control or destroy important bridges over the Appomattox River.

On April 6, 1865, Confederate cavalry, led by Major General Thomas L. Rosser, fought hard. Their mission was to protect the High Bridge and a smaller wagon bridge. These bridges crossed the Appomattox River near Farmville. A large group of Union soldiers wanted to destroy these bridges. They hoped to stop the Confederate Army from crossing back to the north side of the river.

Both sides had officers killed or wounded. The Union forces lost 42 men killed or wounded. About 800 Union soldiers were captured. The Confederates had about 100 casualties. Union Colonel Theodore Read and Confederate Colonel Reuben B. Boston were killed. Union Colonel Francis Washburn and Confederate Colonel James Dearing were badly wounded and later died.

On April 7, 1865, Confederate troops tried to burn the bridges they had saved the day before. They wanted to stop the Union forces from following them. Union soldiers from the II Corps fought the Confederates. They tried to save the bridges. Part of the railroad bridge burned and could not be used. But Union forces saved the wagon bridge. The Union II Corps then crossed it, chasing General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Because this bridge was not destroyed, Union forces caught up with the Confederates. This happened north of the Appomattox River at Cumberland Church.

Why the High Bridge Was Important

Another view of the High Bridge

The High Bridge was a very long railroad bridge. It was about 2,500 feet (760 m) long and 126 feet (38 m) high. It crossed the Appomattox River and its flat land nearby. A wooden bridge for wagons was also located right below the railroad bridge. These bridges were about 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of Farmville, Virginia.

During the retreat of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's army, these bridges were key. Lee's army needed to cross to the north side of the river. They had to protect the bridges on April 6. Then, they needed to destroy them on April 7. This would slow down the Union Army, led by Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant.

On April 6, General James Longstreet sent 1,200 Confederate cavalry soldiers. They were led by Major General Thomas L. Rosser. Their job was to protect the bridges from Union raiders. Union Major General Edward Ord sent about 900 men to burn the bridge. This group was led by Colonel Theodore Read. It included soldiers from the 123rd Ohio Infantry and the 54th Pennsylvania Infantry. It also had three companies of the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry. The Union cavalry reached the bridge first. They chased away some lightly armed local guards. Then, they secured the south end of the bridge.

The Battles at High Bridge

While Union Colonel Washburn got ready to burn the bridge, Confederate cavalry arrived. Three groups of Confederate cavalry attacked the Union soldiers. The Union infantry was waiting near the Watson farmhouse. It was about half a mile to the south.

Washburn and his men heard the fighting and joined the infantry. Colonel Read, not knowing he faced many Confederate cavalry, ordered a charge. The 4th Massachusetts Cavalry charged fiercely. They broke through the Confederate line. The fighting became hand-to-hand. Colonel Read was killed during the fight. Confederate James Dearing was also badly wounded and died later. Colonel Washburn was also mortally wounded and died on April 22, 1865.

The Confederates then counterattacked. They separated the Union cavalry from their supporting infantry. After another attack, the Union cavalry was surrounded. All of them were either killed, wounded, or captured. Colonel Reuben B. Boston of the 5th Virginia Cavalry was killed.

The remaining Confederate soldiers from the Second Corps, led by Major General John B. Gordon, escaped. They had been defeated at the Battle of Sailor's Creek. They crossed the High Bridge to the north side of the river. Major General William Mahone's division then secured the bridge. The rest of Lee's army moved to Farmville. They hoped to meet trains carrying food supplies there.

Early on April 7, Mahone's men tried to set fire to the High Bridge and the wagon bridge. But the Union II Corps, led by Major General Andrew A. Humphreys, arrived. Humphreys's second division, led by Brigadier General Francis C. Barlow, charged the burning bridge. They saved a large part of the railroad bridge from major damage. They then crossed the lower wagon bridge. This allowed them to move around Lee's army. They forced the hungry Confederates to keep retreating. This happened before the Confederates could get their food supplies.

What Happened Next

In the first battle, the Confederates seemed to win. They had about 100 casualties, while the Union had 47 casualties and 800 captured. However, the second battle was a big win for the Union. Union troops put out the fire, crossed the bridge, and forced the Confederates to retreat. This may have made the war end several days sooner.

Because of this, Lee's army had to keep marching west under pressure. Some of his men could not get the food they desperately needed from Farmville. On the night of April 7, Lee received a letter from Grant. Grant suggested that Lee's army should surrender. Lee did not agree right away. He still hoped his army could reach Appomattox Station. He sent a letter back, asking about Grant's surrender terms.

The next morning, Lee's troops moved toward Appomattox Station. This was about 25 miles (40 km) to the west. A train with food was supposed to be waiting there. However, Union forces were already moving to capture that supply train.

Preserving the Battlefield

The American Battlefield Trust has helped save 176 acres (0.71 km2) of the battlefield. This land is now part of the High Bridge Trail State Park. The park has a 31-mile (50 km) trail. It also includes the amazing High Bridge. The bridge is more than 2,500 feet (760 m) long. It stands 130 feet (40 m) above the Appomattox River. The stone supports of the original Civil War-era bridge are still there today.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de High Bridge para niños