Albion P Howe |
Along the
Orange and Alexandria Railroad on November 7th 1863 the Second
Battle of Rappahannock Station was fought.
Confederate
General Robert E Lee withdrew his forces across the Rappahannock River in late
October 1863. A pontoon bridge was left
at the town of Rappahannock Station, the only connection to the north
shore. The crossing was protected by two
redoubts and Confederate artillery posted on the south side of the river.
Union
commander Major General George G Meade approaching the river divided his force. Major General William H French was to cross
the river downstream at Kelly’s Ford, while Major General John Sedgwick
attacked the Confederates at Rappahannock Station. They were to rejoin and move on Brandy
Station.
On November
7th 1863 about noon French’s force crossed the river at Kelly’s
Ford, pushing the Confederates at the crossing back. Shortly after noon Sedgwick advanced on
Rappahannock Station. Lee moved his
troops to meet the threat on the two fronts.
Union Major General Albion P Howe’s division, a part of Sedgwick’s VI
Corps drove in Confederate skirmishers about 3 pm and began to pound the
Confederate batteries with his own artillery fire. Posted at the bridge that day was Confederate
Brigadier General Harry T Hay’s brigade with four guns of Captain Charles A
Green’s Louisiana Guard Artillery, about 2,000 troops. Sedgwick continued the shelling through the
late afternoon, leading Lee believe the move against Rappahannock Station was
feint to cover French’s crossing.
Sedgwick waited until almost dark, and then his infantry rushed the
Confederate works. Union Colonel Peter
Ellmaker’s advanced on the double quick, surging over the Confederate works and
fighting hand to hand with Hay’s men. On
the Union right Colonel Emory Upton’s brigade seized the bridge.
The
Confederates gave up quickly. Hundreds
of Confederate soldiers surrendered, while others excepted by swimming the icy
cold river. There were 1,670 Confederate
killed, wounded or captured in the short fight.
Union casualties were only 419.
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