In the tumultuous summer of 1864, the American Civil War raged, and a critical Confederate offensive known as Early’s Raid unfolded in the Shenandoah Valley. This bold campaign, led by Lieutenant General Jubal Early, aimed to relieve pressure on General Robert E. Lee’s beleaguered forces at Petersburg and menace the Union capital, Washington, D.C., directly threatening vital supply arteries like the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad.
General Robert E. Lee, deeply concerned by Major General David Hunter’s advances in the Shenandoah Valley, which imperiled crucial railroad lines and provisions essential for the Virginia-based Confederate forces, devised a daring plan. He dispatched Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s corps to sweep Union forces from the Valley and, if feasible, to threaten Washington, D.C. Lee’s strategic hope was to compel Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant to dilute his forces besieging Petersburg, Virginia, thus buying precious time for the Confederacy.
The Strategic Imperative: Lee’s Desperate Gambit
The Shenandoah Valley was more than just picturesque landscape; it was a vital corridor and the breadbasket of the Confederacy. Control of the Valley offered a direct invasion route into Maryland and Pennsylvania, as well as a critical supply source for Lee’s armies. With Grant’s relentless pressure on Petersburg and Richmond, Lee needed a diversion, a way to force Grant to reallocate troops. Early’s Raid was conceived as that audacious diversion, mirroring Stonewall Jackson’s highly successful 1862 Valley campaign.
Early’s mission was multi-faceted: clear the Valley of Union forces, destroy Union infrastructure, and create such a significant threat to Washington that Grant would have no choice but to weaken his grip on Petersburg. This included disrupting major transportation networks, particularly the B&O Railroad, which was a vital Union logistical artery linking Washington to the West.
Early’s Swift Advance into Maryland
Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s corps embarked on their mission with initial success, entering the Shenandoah Valley largely unopposed. Early, following the path of his legendary predecessor, Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, bypassed Harpers Ferry, crossed the Potomac River, and advanced boldly into Maryland. His swift progress sent ripples of alarm through the Union high command.
In response to Early’s menacing thrust towards the capital, Union General Grant immediately dispatched a corps under Major General Horatio G. Wright and other troops under Brigadier General George Crook to reinforce Washington, D.C., and launch a pursuit. The stage was set for a series of intense engagements as Union forces scrambled to intercept the Confederate threat.
Key Engagements of Early’s 1864 Valley Campaign
The Battle of Cool Spring (July 17-18, 1864)
Known by several names, including the Battle of Island Ford, Parkers Ford, Snickers Ferry, and Castleman’s Ferry, this two-day engagement unfolded in Clarke County, Virginia. A Union column, composed of the VI Corps and elements of the XIX Corps under Major General Horatio Wright, was hot on the heels of Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s army as it withdrew from the vicinity of Washington, D.C. Wright’s force was augmented by elements of Brigadier General George Crook’s command, which had previously accompanied Hunter during his retreat through West Virginia.
On July 17, Union cavalry pushed through Snickers Gap, attempting to force a crossing of the Shenandoah River at Snickers Ford (Castleman’s Ferry). The following morning, July 18, the vanguard of the Union infantry advanced through Snickers Gap. Colonel Joseph Thoburn, leading a division from Crook’s command, moved downstream with the objective of crossing the river at Judge Richard Parker’s Ford. Confederate General Early swiftly redeployed his three nearby infantry divisions to defend the fords. In the afternoon, Major General Robert Rodes’s division launched a fierce attack, shattering Colonel Thoburn’s right flank on the Cool Spring plantation. Thoburn’s men managed to make a desperate stand behind a stone wall at the river’s edge, repelling three Confederate assaults until the onset of darkness allowed for a withdrawal. This Confederate victory significantly delayed the Union pursuit of Early, resulting in estimated casualties of 422 Union and 397 Confederate soldiers.
The Battle of Rutherford’s Farm (July 20, 1864)
Also referred to as the Battle of Carter’s Farm and Stephenson’s Depot, this engagement took place in Frederick County and Winchester, Virginia. Union Brigadier General W.W. Averell’s division launched a sudden and effective attack against Major General S.D. Ramseur’s Confederate division at Rutherford’s and Carter’s farms. This surprise assault struck General Robert Hoke’s brigade’s flank as it was deploying, throwing it into disarray and panic. Ramseur’s forces were compelled to retreat in confusion towards Winchester. General Averell’s Union forces captured four pieces of artillery and nearly 300 Confederate soldiers, marking a decisive Union victory. Faced with this defeat, Early wisely withdrew his army south to a more defensible position at Fisher’s Hill, further illustrating the dynamic nature of Early’s Raid.
The Second Battle of Kernstown (July 24, 1864)
This pivotal engagement also occurred in Frederick County and Winchester, Virginia. Following Rutherford’s Farm, Major General Horatio Wright mistakenly believed that Confederate General Jubal Early was no longer a substantial threat in the Valley. Consequently, Wright abandoned his pursuit and ordered the VI and XIX Corps to return to Washington, D.C., with instructions to rejoin Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant’s “army group” before Petersburg. Wright left Brigadier General George Crook with three divisions and some cavalry to hold Winchester, under the impression that Early’s threat had dissipated.
However, Early was far from defeated. Under orders to prevent Union reinforcements from being sent to Grant, Confederate General Jubal Early marched north again on July 24, directly confronting General Crook’s forces. After an hour of stubborn resistance at Pritchard’s, the Federal line ultimately collapsed, and Crook’s troops streamed back in disarray through the streets of Winchester. Colonel James Mulligan, commanding Crook’s Division, was mortally wounded in the fighting. Rutherford B. Hayes, who would later become a U.S. President, commanded a brigade during this battle, fighting against Confederate General John C. Breckinridge. Crook’s defeated forces retreated to the Potomac River, crossing near Williamsport on July 26.
The consequences of this Confederate victory were immediate and far-reaching. Coupled with the subsequent burning of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, on July 30 by Early’s cavalry, this defeat compelled Grant to reverse his decision, returning the VI and XIX Corps to the Valley. More significantly, Grant appointed the aggressive General Philip Sheridan as commander of all Union forces in the Valley, a decision that would dramatically alter the course of the Shenandoah Valley Campaigns and ultimately seal Early’s fate.
Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Early’s Audacious Campaign
Early’s Raid, though ultimately unsuccessful in achieving its grand strategic objectives of permanently relieving Petersburg or capturing Washington, D.C., undeniably achieved a significant diversionary success. Early’s swift movements and bold attacks forced Grant to divert substantial forces from the critical Petersburg siege, demonstrating the Confederacy’s continued ability to strike deep into Union territory and threaten its capital. The campaign highlighted the strategic importance of the Shenandoah Valley and the vulnerability of Union supply lines, including the vital B&O Railroad, to Confederate disruption.
However, the temporary respite for Lee came at a cost. The burning of Chambersburg and the renewed threat galvanized the Union, leading to the appointment of General Philip Sheridan, a commander renowned for his aggressive tactics. Sheridan’s subsequent campaigns in the Valley would systematically dismantle Confederate resistance, effectively ending the Shenandoah Valley’s role as a major Confederate lifeline and invasion route. While Early’s daring raid showcased Confederate tenacity, it ultimately paved the way for a decisive Union response that would contribute significantly to the Confederacy’s eventual collapse.
