Last modified on June 27, 2016, at 04:24

Battle of Piedmont

Battle of Piedmont
Began:

June 5, 1864

Ended:

June 6, 1864

Location:

Augusta County, Virginia

Theater:

Eastern Theater

Campaign:

Lynchburg Campaign

Outcome:

Union victory

33 star flag.png
Combatants
Conf Navy Jack.png

Army of the Shenandoah

Dept. of Southwest Virginia
and East Tennessee

Commanders

David Hunter
Major General, USA

William E. Jones
Brigadier General, CSA

Strength

8,500

5,500

Casualties

875

1,500

  

After replacing Sigel in command of Union forces in the Shenandoah Valley, Maj. Gen. David “Black Dave” Hunter renewed the Union offensive. On June 5, Hunter engaged the Confederate army under “Grumble” Jones north of Piedmont. After severe fighting, a flanking movement made by Thoburn’s brigade turned Jones’s right flank. While trying to stem the retreat of his soldiers, Jones was killed. The retreat became a rout. More than 1,000 Confederates, including 60 officers, were captured. Jones lost three guns. Hunter occupied Staunton on June 6 and, after a pause to await the arrival of Brig. Gen. George Crook’s column, began to advance on Lynchburg, destroying military stores and public property in his wake. (NPS summary)