Battle of Shepherdstown

Battle of Shepherdstown Boteler’s Ford Began: September 19, 1862 Ended: September 20, 1862 Location: Jefferson County, Virginia (now West Virginia) Theater: Eastern Theater Campaign: Maryland Campaign Outcome: Confederate victory Combatants V Corps, Army of the Potomac Reserve Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia Commanders Fitz John Porter Major General, USA William Pendleton Brigadier General, CSA A.P. Hill Major General, CSA Strength 2,000 (on Sept. 19) 2 divisions (by Sept. 20) 2 brigades (infantry) Casualties 363 291

On September 19, a detachment of Porter’s V Corps pushed across the river at Boteler’s Ford, attacked the Confederate rearguard commanded by Brig. Gen. William Pendleton, and captured four guns. Early on the 20th, Porter pushed elements of two divisions across the Potomac to establish a bridgehead. Hill’s division counterattacked while many of the Federals were crossing and nearly annihilated the 118th Pennsylvania (the “Corn Exchange” Regiment), inflicting 269 casualties. This rearguard action discouraged Federal pursuit. On November 7, President Lincoln relieved McClellan of command because of his failure to follow up Lee’s retreating army. Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside rose to command the Union army. (NPS summary)