Both Claimed A Victory

The Battle of Haw’s Shop [also called the Battle of Enon Church] was fought in Hanover County, Virginia May 28^th 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 28^th 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 5^th 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.

We Can Beat Them Yet

Confederate General Henry Heth

The Second Battle of Ream’s Station was fought August 25^th 1864 in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, a part of the Petersburg Campaign.

As the siege of Petersburg began to take hold, Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S Grant began to look for ways to break the railroad lines, and prevent supplies from reaching Confederate General Robert E Lee’s Confederates.  Grant wanted the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad, which ran into Wilmington, North Carolina, stopped and had sent Major General Winfield Scott Hancock’s II Corps in June and Major General Gouverneur K Warren’s V Corps against the railroad in early August.

On August 22^nd 1864 Grant again sent out the II Corps along with a cavalry division under Brigadier General David M Gregg.  Gregg’s men drove off some Confederate pickets, and one of the II Corps division commanders, Brigadier General Nelson A Miles’ men destroyed the track to within 2 miles of Reams Station.  Early the next morning August 23rd 1864 another II Corps commanded Brigadier General John Gibbon took up position in some old earthworks located at Reams Station.  Lee couldn’t afford to lose the railroad supply line, and also Ream’s Station was the county seat and should they need it, a potential retreat route.  He sent in Confederate Lieutenant General A P Hill’s Corps which was being led at the time by General Henry Heth, along with two divisions of Major General Wade Hampton’s cavalry to drive them out.

On August 25^th 1864 Union troops left their earthworks to destroy the last 5 miles of tracks.  Hancock had them recalled when Confederate cavalry approached.   Hill’s column had advanced down the Dinwiddie Stage Road, and at about 2 pm three infantry brigades led by Brigadier General Cadmus Wilcox launched an attack, but were driven back.  At about the same time some of Hampton’s cavalry had swept around the Union line, but were blocked by Gibbon’s division.  More of Hill’s Corps were brought up, and Confederate Colonel William Pregram’s artillery began firing on the Union position.  The final attack began around 5:30 pm, with the Confederates breaking through the northwest part of the Union fortifications.  Two Union regiments panicked and ran and the Confederates charged the earthworks.  Hancock galloped along the front of his men trying to rally his men; he said “We can beat them yet. Don't leave me, for God's sake!"  The Confederate cavalry at this point made a dismounted charge against Gibbon’s troops causing them to panic, and giving Hampton room to flank the Union line.  Hancock pulled together a counterattack that allowed the Union side to make a withdrawal back to Petersburg.

Union casualties were high, numbering about 2,750 along with 9 cannon and 12 stands of colors, while the Confederates lost only about 800.

North Cavarly Field

The Battle of Hunterstown was a small cavalry batter fought July 2^nd 1863 as a part of the Gettysburg Campaign.

With the Union Army deployed facing the Confederate Army near Gettysburg they both had cavalry patrolling their flanks.  On July 2^nd 1863 Confederate Major General JEB Stuart finally rejoined the Army of Northern Virginia.  Stuart ordered General Wade Hampton’s brigade to cover the army’s left.  Hampton posted his men astride the Hunterstown Road about four miles northeast of Gettysburg protecting the Confederate Army from being flanked.  Union Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick moved two divisions commanded by Brigadier Generals George Armstrong Custer and Elon Farnsworth to far right of the Union army.  Their orders were to find the left flank of the Confederate line.

The two sides met on the Hunterstown Road and a battle started.  Hampton had his men posted a ridge and was ready to charge Custer.  Then Farnsworth arrived and Hampton held his men.  There opened a duel of artillery which lasted until dark, when Hampton drew off towards Gettysburg.

If you are interested in reading more check out The North Cavalry Field: Battle of Hunterstown

I Grieve The Loss

Confederate Brigadier General John Dunovant was killed October 1^st 1864 at the Battle of Vaughan Road, a part of the Siege of Petersburg.

John Dunovant was born 1825 in Chester, South Carolina the son of John and Margaret (Sloan Quay) Dunovant.  During the Mexican American War he was a Sergeant in a volunteer regiment and was wounded at the Battle of Chapultepec.  He joined the United State Army as a Captain in the 10^th Infantry March 1855.

Dunovant resigned on December 29^th 1860 and offered his service to the South Carolina militia.   He was present at Fort Moultrie during the bombardment of Fort Sumter.  He was stationed there when he became the Colonel of the 1^st South Carolina Infantry July 1861.  Dunovant was cashiered November 1862 for being drunk, but was back commanding July 28^th 1863 this time with the 5^th South Carolina Cavalry.  In May 1864 the 5^th with Dunovant was placed in Confederate Major General Wade Hampton’s Division a part of Jeb Stuart’s Cavalry.  They saw action at numerous engagements including the Second Battle of Drewry’s Bluff, the Battle of Cold Harbor and many of the encounters against Union General Philip Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley.  Dunovant was wounded at the Battle of Haw’s Shop May 28^th 1864.  He was appointed to Brigadier General August 22^nd 1864 and given command of a brigade.

On October 1^st 1864; while fighting north of the James River, in a part of the Battle of Peebles’ Farm known as the Battle of Vaughan Road, Dunovant was shot and killed while leading his men in a charge.  After he fell in the frontal attack his troops retreated.  General Robert E Lee said of Dunovant to Hampton, “I grieve with you at the loss of General Dunovant and Dr. Fontaine, two officers whom it will be difficult to replace."  His body was taken back to Chester, South Carolina where he was buried in a family cemetery.

Off To The Races

The Battle of Buckland Mill was a cavalry fight between Union Brigadier General H Judson Kilpatrick and Confederate Major General JEB Stuart, fought October 19^th 1863.

Following the Confederate defeat at Bristoe, Confederate Major General JEB Stuart with a cavalry division under Major General Wade Hampton, were covering General Robert E Lee’s retreat from the Manassas Junction area.  The Confederate cavalry was in the Buckland Mills area.  They were being pursued along the Warrenton Turnpike by Union Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick.  On October 19^th 1863 the Union troops were ambushed when Stuart turned on the Union cavalry, while Confederate Major General Fitzhugh Lee charged into the Union flank.  Kilpatrick’s men were overwhelmed, and they bolted to Haymarket five miles away.  The Confederate commanders said it was like a fox hunt and called the Battle, “The Buckland Races”.

The End Of A Rail Raid

A part of the Wilson-Kautz Rail Raid, the Battle of Sappony Church took place on June 28th 1864.


Three rail lines supplied the Confederates at Petersburg, Virginia, the Richmond - Petersburg Railroad, the South Side Railroad, and the Weldon Railroad. Union General Ulysses S Grant on June 22nd 1864 sent a cavalry unit under the command of Brigadier Generals James H Wilson and August V Kautz to disrupt these rail lines. The raid would put 60 miles track out of use. The Union cavalry was hotly followed by Confederate Major General William HF Rooney Lee, he caught up with them at Staunton Bridge where the Confederate force attacked. Lee pursued the Union cavalry as they retreated toward Union lines.

The Union cavalry crossed the Nottoway River on June 28th 1864 at the Double Bridges, reaching Stony Creek Depot on the Weldon Railroad. There Confederate Major General Wade Hampton attacked the Union cavalry. While this was going on Lee’s cavalry joined in the attack. Kautz and Wilson disengaged and ordered a retreat to the north to the Halifax Road, try to reach Reams Railway Station.

A Surprise For Kilpatrick

The inconclusive Battle of Monroe’s Crossroads took place in the early morning hours of March 10th 1865.


Confederates under the command of Lieutenant General Wade Hampton and Major General Joseph Wheeler attacked the poorly guarded Union camp in the early morning hours of March 10th 1865. A select squad of troopers were supposed to capture cavalry commander Union Major General Judson Kilpatrick. At first the Union cavalry was routed, but they recovered and made a counterattack, forcing the Confederates back out of camp. Expecting re-enforcements of Union infantry, Hampton ordered his cavalry to disengage, and they withdrew to Fayetteville, North Carolina.

The Battle of Monroe’s Crossroads gave the Confederate infantry time to cross the Cape Fear River at Fayetteville, without Union interference. Once across the river the Confederates burned all the bridges.

A really must read web site for more about this subject is, 1st Alabama Cavalry; Monroe's Crossroads

The City Wouldn't Be Harmed

As part of Union Major General William Tecumseh Sherman’s Carolina Campaign, Columbia, South Carolina was captured on February 17th 1865.

After Savannah, Georgia fell to Union Major General William Tecumseh Sherman, during his “March to the Sea”, he turned his army north to connect with Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S Grant. Sherman planned his march to go through South Carolina to Columbia, then capture and destroy the Confederate held Fayetteville, North Carolina arsenal. Sherman split his forces sending the Left Wing toward Augusta, and the Right wing toward Charleston.

Confederate General PGT Beauregard attempted to defend both cities, as long as he could. Beauregard thought he would be able to bring his forces back together if the Union changed direction and headed for Columbia. Sherman concentrated his army faster than Beauregard had expected, and arrived at Columbia on February 16th 1865. Only a small force of Confederates were defending the city. The Union Artillery sighted their cannon on the State House and fired shells into the heart of Columbia, South Carolina. Being heavily outnumbered Confederate Lieutenant General Wade Hampton evacuated the city without a fight. The Mayor of Columbia surrendered the city to Sherman, who promised nothing would be harmed on February 17th 1865. Most of Columbia was burned in a fire on the night of February 17th 1865, thought to have been set by Confederates and fanned on by drunken Union soldiers after the capture.

He Left West Point

Confederate Major General Pierce Manning Butler Young was born November 15th 1836.


Pierce Manning Butler Young the son of doctor R M Young, was born November 15th 1835 in Spartanburg South Carolina. The family moved when Young was a child to Cartersville, Bartow County Georgia, where his father hired private tutors for his children. At thirteen he began attending Georgia Military Institute, then in 1857 Young received an appointment to the United State Military Academy at West Point. He was a few months short of graduation in 1861, when Georgia seceded and he resigned.

Young was appointed Second Lieutenant in the 1st Georgia Infantry, upon his return home. In July he was attached to Confederate General Braxton Bragg’s staff. By November Young was a Lieutenant Colonel and commanding cavalry in Cobb’s Legion. His unit was attached to Wade Hampton’s brigade which was part of JEB Stuart’s cavalry. Young was promoted to Colonel for service at the Battle of Brandy Station and Huntertown Pennsylvania, which was part of the Gettysburg campaign. He was wounded in August 1863, and promoted to Brigadier General shortly after, Young took over command Hampton’s brigade. The brigade saw more action at Bristoe Station and in the Mine Run Campaign. Young’s final promotion came in December 1864 while in defense of Savannah to Confederate Major General.

Following the Civil War Young returned to Georgia and took up the life of a planter. He served four terms in the United State House of Representatives, as a consul-general in Russia and the Untied States Minister to Honduras and Guatemala. Young died in New York City July 6th 1896.

Largest Slave Revolt

The slave revolt know as the 1811 German Coast Uprising began on January 8th 1811 on the east coast of the Mississippi River in Louisiana.

On January 8th 1811 somewhere between 64 and 125 slaves left the sugar plantation owned by Manuel Andre, along the German Coast and marched toward the city of New Orleans. More joined them as they traveled reaching numbers as high as 500. Over the course of two days they traveled twenty miles, killed two men including Andre’s son Gilbert, burned five plantations, sugarhouses and crops. The slaves were armed with hand tools.

Territory militia companies were formed by General Wade Hampton, and Governor William CC Claiborne to hunt for the revolting slaves. Over the next two weeks officials captured 44 fugitive slaves, interrogated and executed them [there were another 95 to 100 killed]. The heads of many of the slaves having been decapitated were placed on pikes and displayed as a warning to others. The Orleans Territory voted to give the slave owners $300 in payment for the lose of each slave killed.