Battle of Guard Hill

Battle of Guard Hill Front Royal, Cedarville Began: August 16, 1864 Ended: Same day Location: Warren County, Virginia Theater: Eastern Theater Campaign: Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign Outcome: Inconclusive Combatants Commanders Wesley Merritt Brigadier General, USA Richard Anderson Lieutenant General, CSA Strength Casualties 71 480
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Kershaw’s infantry division and Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry, under overall command of Lt. Gen. Richard Anderson (Army of Northern Virginia, I Corps) were sent from Petersburg to reinforce Early’s army in the Valley. At Front Royal on the August 16, Union cavalry of Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt’s division surprised the Confederate columns in mid-stream of the Shenandoah River, capturing about 300. The Confederates rallied and advanced, gradually driving the two Union brigades back to Cedarville. After dark, Merritt withdrew to Ninevah. (NPS summary)