Battle of Morton's Ford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Morton's Ford |
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| Part of the American Civil War | |||||||
 Sketch by Lt. Roebling |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States (Union) |
 CSA (Confederacy) |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| John C. Caldwell | Richard S. Ewell | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Corps | Corps | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 262 | 60 | ||||||
The Battle of Morton's Ford was a small but important fight during the American Civil War. It happened on February 6–7, 1864, in Virginia. This battle was part of a bigger plan by the Union Army to distract Confederate forces.
Union soldiers tried to cross the Rapidan River at several points. The main fighting took place at Morton's Ford. Here, Union troops faced tough resistance from Confederate soldiers. The battle ended without a clear winner, as the Union forces eventually pulled back.
Contents
Why Did the Battle Happen?
The Union Army wanted to trick the Confederates. Major General Benjamin Butler, a Union commander, thought that General Robert E. Lee had sent many of his soldiers away from Richmond, Virginia. Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy. Butler believed that if the Union Army attacked, Lee would have to bring those soldiers back to defend Richmond. This would make it easier for another Union attack on the city later.
However, Major General John Sedgwick, who was temporarily in charge of the main Union army, disagreed. He thought Lee had not sent away as many soldiers as Butler believed. Sedgwick also worried about the bad winter weather and muddy roads. But the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, and the top Union general, Henry Halleck, ordered the attack to happen anyway on February 6.
Where Did the Fight Take Place?
The battle was planned near Morton's Ford, a crossing point on the Rapidan River. This area had a bend in the river, creating a wide piece of land. Confederate soldiers, led by Major General Edward Johnson, had dug trenches across this land.
The Union plan involved three groups. The Union II Corps, led by Major General John C. Caldwell, was to go to Morton's Ford. The Union I Corps would march to Racoon Ford, and Union cavalry would cross at Robertson's Ford.
What Happened During the Battle?
The Union II Corps arrived at Morton's Ford around 9:30 in the morning. They found a few Confederate guards along the riverbank. Brigadier General Alexander Hays, a Union commander, ordered 300 of his men to cross the river. They successfully pushed back the Confederate guards, capturing 30 of them without any Union losses.
More Union soldiers crossed the river, but then they faced heavy cannon fire. General Johnson brought more Confederate soldiers and cannons to the area. By 12:30 p.m., Hays got permission to bring the rest of his division across the ford. This took two hours. Meanwhile, Caldwell placed Union cannons on the hills north of the river. Johnson also kept getting more Confederate soldiers.
The Evening Attack
Around midday, General Gouverneur K. Warren, who was the usual commander of the II Corps, heard about the heavy fighting. He quickly rode to the front lines. By 3 p.m., he decided that the Union position was too dangerous. He ordered Hays' division to pull back after dark.
However, just as dusk began, General Johnson launched a surprise attack with his infantry (foot soldiers). Hays' right side of the line started to weaken. Three Union regiments quickly counterattacked and managed to stop the Confederates. At this time, another Union division arrived to help Hays. But it was decided to withdraw both divisions, starting around 8 p.m.
What Was the Result?
Both Union divisions were back across the Rapidan River by 2 a.m. The Confederates immediately moved back into their trenches. The Union Army had 262 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing. The Confederates lost 60 soldiers.
The Union's main goal was to distract the Confederates so another attack on Richmond could happen. But a Union soldier deserted and told the Confederates about the Union's plans. Because of this, the planned attack on Richmond never happened. The Union I Corps also failed to cross the river at Raccoon Ford. The Battle of Morton's Ford ended without a clear winner, and the overall Union plan did not succeed.
