Valley District facts for kids

The Colonel Lewis T. Moore house in Winchester, Virginia, which served as the Valley District Headquarters of Lt. Gen. T. J. "Stonewall" Jackson (photo 2007).

The Valley District was a special military group within the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It was part of the larger Department of Northern Virginia. This group was in charge of military actions in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. This area is located between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Allegheny Mountains. The Valley District started on October 22, 1861. It officially ended when General Robert E. Lee surrendered it. This happened at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.

Why the Valley District Was Formed

The Valley District was created to manage different military groups. These groups included local defense units and armies. They all operated in the important Shenandoah Valley. Before the Valley District, forces in this area were called the "Forces In and About Harper's Ferry, Virginia."

Early Military Control in the Valley

This early group existed from April 18 to June 15, 1861. It was first under the Virginia State Militia. Three different commanders led these forces:

• Major General Kenton Harper (April 18 to April 28)
• Colonel Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson (April 28 to May 24)
• Brigadier General Joseph E. Johnston (May 24 to June 15, after forces joined the Confederate Army)

Creating the Department of Northern Virginia

After June 15, 1861, local leaders managed military groups in the Shenandoah Valley. This continued until October 22, 1861. On this date, the Department of Northern Virginia was created. This happened as General Johnston prepared defenses in Northern Virginia.

Defining the Valley District Area

The Valley District covered a large area. It stretched between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Alleghenies. It went south from the Potomac River to near Staunton, Virginia. This whole area was about five thousand square miles.

Other Districts Formed in 1861

Three main districts were created under the Department of Northern Virginia:

• The Aquia District
  • First commander: Major General Theophilus H. Holmes
  • Active from: October 22, 1861, to April 18, 1862
• The Potomac District
  • First commander: General Pierre G. T. Beauregard
  • Active from: October 22, 1861, to January 29, 1862
• The Valley District
  • First commander: Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson
  • Active from: October 22, 1861, to April 9, 1865

The Aquia and Potomac Districts stopped existing by spring 1862. However, the Valley District was needed for the rest of the war. It played a very important role.

The Valley District in 1864

In 1864, Lieutenant General Jubal Early led the Valley District. During this time, the Valley District had its own independent army. This army was called the Army of the Valley. It was mostly made up of the Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.

Early's Mission to Washington, D.C.

General Early's army was sent away from General Lee's main forces. Their mission was to move towards Washington, D.C.. The hope was to threaten the capital city. This would force Union forces to leave Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant's army. Grant was laying siege to Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia. By drawing troops away, the Confederates hoped to ease the pressure on their own forces.

Leaders of the Valley District