Lynchburg Campaign

"Nos. 9-9a: Lynchburg, Virginia" maps by Jedediah Hotchkiss, 1864

Library of Congress

In 1864, Ulysses S. Grant, the new general-in-chief of the US Army, ordered his commanders to destroy the Confederacy's armies, transportation networks, and its economic and agricultural base in the Shenandoah Valley and West Virginia.

Events & Battles

The 1864 Federal offensive in the Valley began in May with Grant ordering generals George Crook's and Franz Sigel’s men to converge on Staunton, Virginia. Crook's men advanced south through West Virginia, cutting all rail links from Virginia to the west. Sigel's 10,000 men moved south through the Shenandoah Valley. This strategy would keep Confederate forces engaged in the Valley, rather than heading east to reinforce Lee as Grant advanced south towards Richmond.

Battle of New Market

Confederates scored a late victory at the Battle of New Market in 1864, one of their last in the Shenandoah Valley. Among the Confederate troops was a battalion of 257 cadets and two artillery guns from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI).

Battle of Piedmont

After their defeat at New Market, Federal troops under a new general renewed their offensive. The Battle of Piedmont, June 5, 1864, ended with a Confederate retreat and Federal occupation of Staunton.

Raids on Staunton, Lexington, & Virginia Military Institute

Federal troops occupied and raided Staunton, Virginia, before moving on to Lexington, where they burned the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). The raids were part of a campaign to destroy the Confederacy's economic base. 

Battle of Lynchburg

The Federal threat in the Valley caused Lee to send his Second Corps, 14,000 strong and under the command of Gen. Jubal A. Early, to face Hunter. Early's mission was to protect Lynchburg, drive Hunter's army out of the Valley and, if successful, invade Maryland and threaten Washington, DC.

Breckinridge reached Lynchburg on June 15 and started to fortify the city. Early arrived there on June 17. Hunter had been slowly making his way to Lynchburg as he laid waste to the houses and farmland, giving the Confederates time to reinforce. Early's victory at the Battle of Lynchburg on June 18 forced Hunter to flee over the mountains into West Virginia. With the Valley free of Federal troops, Early could follow it north for his invasion of Maryland.