Trevilian Station, June 11-12, 1864 - by Joseph W McKinney (Paperback)

About the Book

In June 1864, General Ulysses Grant ordered his cavalry commander, Philip Sheridan, to conduct a raid to destroy the Virginia Central Railroad between Charlottesville and Richmond. Sheridan fell short of his objective when he was defeated by General Wade Hampton's cavalry in a two-day battle at Trevilian Station.

Book Synopsis

In June 1864, General Ulysses Grant ordered his cavalry commander, Philip Sheridan, to conduct a raid to destroy the Virginia Central Railroad between Charlottesville and Richmond. Sheridan fell short of his objective when he was defeated by General Wade Hampton's cavalry in a two-day battle at Trevilian Station.

The first day's fighting saw dismounted Yankees and Rebels engaged at close range in dense forest. By day's end, Hampton had withdrawn to the west. Advancing the next morning, Sheridan found Hampton dug in behind hastily built fortifications and launched seven dismounted assaults, each repulsed with heavy casualties. As darkness fell, the Confederates counterattacked, driving the Union forces from the field.

Sheridan began his withdrawal that night, an ordeal for his men, the Union wounded and Confederate prisoners brought off the field and the hundreds of starved and exhausted horses that marked his retreat, killed to prevent their falling into Confederate hands.

Review Quotes

"an exceptionally well documented and an impressively detailed, comprehensive, and informative account...extraordinary and highly recommended...outstanding scholarship...extraordinary....recommended"-Midwest Book Review; "an interesting, well written book...highly recommended"-Civil War News; "highly detailed account...well written, and a lively read"-Strategy Page.

About the Author

Retired U.S. Army officer Joseph W. McKinney lives in Corrales, New Mexico.