Battle of Tom's Brook facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Tom's Brook
Part of the American Civil War
Date October 9, 1864 (1864-10-09) Location Shenandoah County, Virginia Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Alfred Torbert	Thomas L. Rosser
Strength
6,300	3,500
Casualties and losses
57	350

The Battle of Tom's Brook was a major fight during the American Civil War. It took place on October 9, 1864, in Shenandoah County, Virginia. This battle was part of Philip Sheridan's important Shenandoah Valley Campaign. The Union side won a clear victory. People sometimes joked about the speedy Confederate retreat, calling it "The Woodstock Races."

What Happened Before the Battle?

After winning the Battle of Fisher's Hill, Union Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan chased the Confederate army. The Confederate army was led by Maj. Gen. Jubal Early. Sheridan's troops followed Early's army up the Shenandoah Valley. They went as far as Staunton.

On October 6, Sheridan started to pull his troops back. His cavalry (soldiers on horseback) began burning things. They destroyed anything that could help the enemy. This included barns and mills.

Early's army was joined by more soldiers. These new troops were from Maj. Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw's division. Early then started to follow Sheridan's retreating forces.

The Commanders and Their Plans

Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Rosser arrived from Petersburg. He took command of Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee's Confederate cavalry division. Rosser's cavalry kept bothering the Union soldiers as they pulled back.

On October 9, the Union troops decided to turn around. Brig. Gen. Alfred Thomas Archimedes Torbert led the Union cavalry. They attacked their pursuers.

The Battle of Tom's Brook

The Union cavalry quickly defeated the Confederate divisions. Rosser's cavalrymen were pushed back by George Armstrong Custer's troops. Custer used a clever move, attacking from the side near Spiker's Hill.

Another Confederate division, led by Lunsford L. Lomax, was also defeated. Lomax's troops were near the Valley Pike, at Tom's Brook.

Before the battle, Confederate Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Rosser was very confident. He said about General Custer:

That's General Custer, the Yanks are so proud of,

and I intend to give him the best whipping today that he ever got,

But Rosser's plan did not work out.

After the battle, Jubal Early made a sarcastic comment. He said about Rosser's "Laurel Brigade": "The laurel is a running vine." This meant they ran away quickly.

Why Was This Battle Important?

The Union victory at Tom's Brook was very important. It showed that the Union cavalry was now much stronger. They had gained a huge advantage in the Shenandoah Valley.

Protecting the Battlefield

Today, groups work to protect important historical sites. The Civil War Trust, which is part of the American Battlefield Trust, has helped save land from this battle. They and their partners have bought and protected about 516 acres (2.09 square kilometers) of the Tom's Brook battlefield. This helps make sure future generations can learn about this important part of history.