Last modified on June 27, 2016, at 04:23

Battle of Morton's Ford

Battle of Morton's Ford
Rapidan River
Began:

February 6, 1864

Ended:

February 7, 1864

Location:

Orange and Culpeper Counties, Virginia

Theater:

Eastern Theater

Campaign:

Demonstration on the Rapidan River

Outcome:

Inconclusive

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Combatants
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Commanders

J.C. Caldwell
Brigadier General, USA

Richard S. Ewell
Lieutenant General, CSA

Strength
Casualties

723 total US and CS

723 total US and CS

  

To distract attention from a planned cavalry-infantry raid up the Peninsula on Richmond, the Federal army forced several crossings of the Rapidan River on February 6. A II Corps division crossed at Morton’s Ford, the I Corps at Raccoon Ford. Union cavalry crossed at Robertson’s Ford. Ewell’s Corps resisted the crossings. Fighting was sporadic but most severe at Morton’s Ford. By February 7, the attacks had stalled, and the Federals withdrew during the night. (NPS summary)