Union Army of the Shenandoah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Army of the Shenandoah |
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|---|---|
| Active | July 25, 1861 – March 18, 1862 August 1, 1864 – June 27, 1865 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Engagements | American Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
MG Robert Patterson MG Nathaniel P. Banks MG David Hunter MG Philip Sheridan MG Horatio G. Wright MG Philip Sheridan BG Alfred Thomas Torbert |
The Army of the Shenandoah was a special group of soldiers who fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was first put together in 1861. After a short break, it became very important in 1864 under General Philip Sheridan.
This army helped stop the Confederate States Army from getting food from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. This made it harder for the Confederates to keep fighting and helped bring the war to an end faster.
Contents
History of the Army of the Shenandoah
Early Days: 1861-1862
In 1861, a group of Union soldiers called the Department of Pennsylvania was in the Shenandoah Valley. They were led by Major General Robert Patterson. These soldiers fought in the Battle of Hoke's Run on July 2.
Later, on July 25, 1861, these soldiers became part of a new group. It was called the Department of the Shenandoah. Major General Nathaniel P. Banks took command. However, neither Patterson nor Banks officially called their troops the Army of the Shenandoah. In March 1862, this group became the "Fifth Corps" of the Army of the Potomac.
The Big Comeback: 1864
The Army of the Shenandoah was formed again in 1864. This time, Major General David Hunter was in charge from May 21 to July 3. His army had two groups of infantry (foot soldiers) and two groups of cavalry (soldiers on horseback).
These groups fought in battles like battle of Cloyd's Mountain and battle of Piedmont. All four groups then joined together for the battle of Lynchburg. After July 3, George Crook took over the infantry groups. He named them the Army of the Kanawha.
Sheridan Takes Command
The army was created once more on August 1, 1864. This happened because Confederate General Jubal Early led a surprise attack on Washington, D.C.. He also defeated Union forces at the Battle of Monocacy Junction.
Ulysses S. Grant, a top Union general, ordered the new Army of the Shenandoah to be formed. It included several important Union army groups. Major General Philip Sheridan was put in charge. His job was to push back Early's forces. He also had to stop Confederate fighters and move into the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.
Sheridan's Valley Campaigns
General Early was very clever and kept his troops moving. He tried not to get trapped by Sheridan's larger army. Early's attacks helped boost the spirits of the Confederate soldiers.
Confederate General Robert E. Lee decided that Early had done enough. He told Early to send two of his divisions back to Richmond. When Sheridan found out Early's army was smaller, he attacked.
Sheridan won big victories at the Third Battle of Winchester on September 19. He then won again at the Battle of Fisher's Hill on September 20–21. After these battles, Early's army was mostly defeated.
Sheridan then followed his other orders. He destroyed the Shenandoah Valley's ability to provide food for the Confederacy. His troops burned farms and over 2,000 mills. This was a tough but important step to end the war.
Final Battles and Disbandment
Early's army got more soldiers and tried to fight Sheridan again. But after a big Union cavalry win at the Battle of Tom's Brook, Early's army launched a surprise attack at the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19.
At first, the Confederates were successful. But the Union army fought back and won. The Shenandoah Valley was now fully under Union control.
After these battles in late 1864, most of the Army of the Shenandoah's soldiers were sent to other places. Some went to Grant at Petersburg. Others joined William Tecumseh Sherman in Georgia.
Sheridan himself joined Grant for the Appomattox campaign. He commanded the Army of the Shenandoah there. In April 1865, Brigadier General A. T. A. Torbert took command. The Army of the Shenandoah was officially disbanded on July 12, 1865.
Who Led the Army of the Shenandoah?
- April 27 – July 25, 1861: Major General Robert Patterson
- July 25, 1861 – March 18, 1862: Major General Nathaniel P. Banks
- May 21 – July 3, 1864: Major General David Hunter
- August 7 – October 16, 1864: Major General Philip Sheridan
- October 16–19, 1864: Major General Horatio G. Wright
- October 19, 1864 – April 22, 1865: Major General Philip Sheridan
- April 22 – July 12, 1865: Major General Alfred Thomas Torbert
Important Battles
- July 2, 1861: Battle of Hoke's Run (led by Patterson)
- May 25, 1862: First Battle of Winchester (led by Banks)
- September 19, 1864: Third Battle of Winchester (led by Sheridan)
- September 20 – September 21, 1864: Battle of Fisher's Hill (led by Sheridan)
- October 9, 1864: Battle of Tom's Brook (led by Sheridan)
- October 19, 1864: Battle of Cedar Creek (led by Wright, then Sheridan)
- April, 1865: Appomattox Campaign (led by Merritt, under Sheridan)
