The Battle
of Haw’s Shop [also called the Battle of Enon Church] was fought in Hanover
County, Virginia May 28th 1864.
Union
General Ulysses S Grant abandoned his line at North Anna, after fighting Confederate
General Robert E Lee’s force there, and swung once again, trying to flank the
Confederates. Lee moved his troops
quickly, and sent out cavalry to gather intelligence about the Union movement.
Confederate
Major General Wade Hampton, who was scouting the Union troops, ran into Union
cavalry under the command of Brigadier General David M Gregg on May 28th
1864 at Enon Church near Hanovertown, Virginia bring on the Battle of Haw’s
Shop. Although both sides were cavalry
they fought predominately dismounted.
Both sides used earthworks in the area, and neither could gain an
advantage. Greg received reinforcements
from Union Brigadier General Alfred T Torbert’s New Jersey division. As the seven hour fight was wrapping up with
Hampton withdrawing his men, Union Brigadier General George A Custer launched
an attack, that brought everything to an end.
The Battle
of Haw’s Shop was inconclusive, with both sides claiming victory. Union Cavalry Corps commander Major General
Philip H Sheridan felt his men had won as they drove Hampton from the field, but
Hampton had held up the Union cavalry for seven hours and was able to provide
Lee with intel about the Union Army. The
Union force reported 344 casualties, including Private John Huff of the 5th
Michigan Cavalry, who fatally shot Confederate major General JEB Stuart a few
weeks earlier at the Battle of Yellow Tavern.
Confederate casualties were unofficially counted about 400.
No comments:
Post a Comment