Battle of Staunton River Bridge
Part of the American Civil War
Clockwise from upper left: Brigadier General August V. Kautz, Brigadier General James H. Wilson, Confederate artillery firing across the river.
Date June 25, 1864 Location Staunton River, Halifax and Charlotte counties, Virginia. Result Confederate victory
Combatants
United States of America (Union)	Confederate States of America
Commanders
Brigadier General James H. Wilson and Brigadier General August V. Kautz	General William Henry Fitzhugh Lee and Captain Benjamin Farinholt
Strength
5000	938
Casualties
at least 42	at least 10[1]

The Battle of Staunton River Bridge was an engagement on June 25, 1864 between Union and Confederate forces. The battle took place around the Staunton River Bridge, over the Staunton River, in Halifax and Charlotte counties, Virginia, during the American Civil War. Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Portrait of James Wilson during the Civil War James Harrison Wilson (September 2, 1837 – February 23, 1925) was a U.S. Army topographic engineer, a Union Army general in the American Civil War and later wars, a railroad executive, and author. ... Motto: Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God, Our Vindicator) Anthem: God Save the South (unofficial) Dixie (traditional) The Bonnie Blue Flag (popular) Capital Montgomery, Alabama (until May 29, 1861) Richmond, Virginia (May 29, 1861–April 2, 1865) Danville, Virginia (from April 3, 1865) Language(s) English (de facto) Government Republic President... June 25 is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 189 days remaining. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... For other meanings of confederate and confederacy, see confederacy (disambiguation) National Motto Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God our Vindicator) Official language English de facto nationwide Various European and Native American languages regionally Capital Montgomery, Alabama February 4, 1861–May 29, 1861 Richmond, Virginia May 29, 1861–April 9... In this map:  Union states prohibiting slavery  Union territories  Border states on the Union side which allowed slavery  Kansas, which entered and fought with the Union as a free state after the Bleeding Kansas crisis  The Confederacy  Confederate claimed and sometimes held territories During the American Civil War, the Union... Motto: Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God, Our Vindicator) Anthem: God Save the South (unofficial) Dixie (traditional) The Bonnie Blue Flag (popular) Capital Montgomery, Alabama (until May 29, 1861) Richmond, Virginia (May 29, 1861–April 2, 1865) Danville, Virginia (from April 3, 1865) Language(s) English (de facto) Government Republic President... Portrait of James Wilson during the Civil War James Harrison Wilson (September 2, 1837 – February 23, 1925) was a U.S. Army topographic engineer, a Union Army general in the American Civil War and later wars, a railroad executive, and author. ... William Henry Fitzhugh Rooney Lee William Henry Fitzhugh Lee (May 31, 1837 – October 15, 1891), known as Rooney Lee or W.H.F. Lee, was the second son of Robert E. Lee and Mary Anna Randolph Custis. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Ulysses S. Grant Robert E. Lee Strength 67,000 – 125,000 average of 52,000 Casualties 53,386 ~32,000 The Richmond-Petersburg Campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 15, 1864, to March 25... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Benjamin Butler P.G.T. Beauregard Strength 4,500 2,500 Casualties 250 150 The first Battle of Petersburg was a minor, unsuccessful Union assault against the city of Petersburg, Virginia, June 9, 1864. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Ulysses S. Grant George G. Meade Robert E. Lee P.G.T. Beauregard Strength 62,000 42,000 Casualties 8,150 3,236 The Second Battle of Petersburg, also known as the Assault on Petersburg, was the major attempt by... Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road Conflict American Civil War Date June 21–24,1864 Place Petersburg, Virginia Result Inconclusive (Union extended siege lines) The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road, also known as the First Battle of the Weldon Railroad, was the first of a series of battles during the... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America Commanders Brigadier General James H. Wilson and Brigadier General August V. Kautz General William Henry Fitzhugh Lee and Major General Wade Hampton Casualties unknown unknown[1][2] The Battle of Sappony Church was an engagement of the American Civil War... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Ambrose E. Burnside Robert E. Lee Strength IX Corps elements of the Army of Northern Virginia Casualties 5,300 total 1,032 total {{{notes}}} The Battle of the Crater was a battle of the American Civil War, part of the... Battle of Globe Tavern Conflict American Civil War Date August 18–21,1864 Place Petersburg, Virginia Result Union victory The Battle of Globe Tavern, also known as the Second Battle of the Weldon Railroad, saw the Confederate forces loose control of the vital Weldon Railroad to the Union army... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Winfield S. Hancock Henry Heth Strength II Corps Heths Division, III Corps Casualties 2,750 814 {{{notes}}} The Second Battle of Reams Station was fought in the American Civil War on August 25, 1864, in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. ... Map of Battle of Chaffins Farm The Battle of Chaffins Farm, also known as New Market Heights (September 29–30, 1864), was fought as part of the Siege of Petersburg in the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Peebles Farm (or Poplar Springs Church) was the western part of a simultaneous Union offensive against the Confederate works guarding Petersburg, Virginia and Richmond, Virginia. ... The Battle of Darbytown Road was fought on October 7, 1864 between Union and Confederate forces. ... The Battle of the Boydton Plank Road (or First Hatchers Run) followed the successfull battle of Peebles Farm. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Battle of Fort Steadman Conflict American Civil War Date March 25, 1865 Place Petersburg Result Union victory The Battle of Fort Steadman occurred on March 25th, 1865, during the final days of the American Civil War. ... June 25 is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 189 days remaining. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... Motto: Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God, Our Vindicator) Anthem: God Save the South (unofficial) Dixie (traditional) The Bonnie Blue Flag (popular) Capital Montgomery, Alabama (until May 29, 1861) Richmond, Virginia (May 29, 1861–April 2, 1865) Danville, Virginia (from April 3, 1865) Language(s) English (de facto) Government Republic President... The Roanoke River is a river in southern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina in the United States, approximately 410 mi (660 km) long. ... Official language(s) English Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Area  Ranked 35th  - Total 42,793 sq mi (110,862 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 430 miles (690 km)  - % water 7. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total...

Background to the battle

During the month of June, 1864, Confederate General Robert E. Lee was commanding the Army of Northern Virginia in the defence of Petersburg, Virginia against the Union siege under the command of Union General Ulysses S. Grant. The Confederate forces were dependant on the flow of supplies from the south and west along the South Side and Richmond & Danville rail lines, and Grant realised that without these supplies the Confederates would be forced to abandon Petersburg. June is the sixth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with a length of 30 days. ... Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 – October 12, 1870) was a career U.S. Army officer and the most celebrated general of the Confederate forces during the American Civil War. ... The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War in the eastern theater. ... Siege of Petersburg Conflict American Civil War Date June 15, 1864–April 2, 1865 Place Petersburg, Virginia Result Union victory The Siege of Petersburg (June 15, 1864 – April 2, 1865) was a ten-month long siege of Petersburg, Virginia, during the American Civil War. ... Location Location in the State of Virginia Coordinates , Government Country State County United States Virginia Independent city Founded December 17, 1748 Mayor Annie M. Mickens Geographical characteristics Area     City 60. ... Ulysses S. Grant[1] (born Hiram Ulysses Grant, April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was an American general and politician who was elected as the 18th President of the United States (1869–1877). ...

Thus, Grant decided to dispatch Union cavalry to raid the rail lines and destroy them, thus cutting Lee off from his supplies. On June 22, 5000 Union cavalry and 16 artillery pieces were pulled from the siege of Petersburg and sent, under the command of Brigadier General James H. Wilson and Brigadier General August V. Kautz, to destroy the lines of supply. During the next three days, despite pursuit and harassment from Confederate cavalry under the command of General William Henry Fitzhugh Lee, the Union cavalry succeeded in destroying 60 miles of railway. June 22 is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 192 days remaining. ... Soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback in combat are commonly known as cavalry (from French cavalerie). ... Historically, artillery (from French artillerie) refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war. ... Portrait of James Wilson during the Civil War James Harrison Wilson (September 2, 1837 – February 23, 1925) was a U.S. Army topographic engineer, a Union Army general in the American Civil War and later wars, a railroad executive, and author. ... William Henry Fitzhugh Rooney Lee William Henry Fitzhugh Lee (May 31, 1837 – October 15, 1891), known as Rooney Lee or W.H.F. Lee, was the second son of Robert E. Lee and Mary Anna Randolph Custis. ...

The battle

The Staunton River Bridge runs South South West to North North East over the River Staunton (which itself runs North West to South East) and along it runs the Richmond & Danville rail line, a vital part of the supply system for the besieged Army of Northern Virginia. The bridge was defended by 296 Confederate reservists under the command of Captain Benjamin Farinholt, who had been warned on June 23 that Union cavalry forces were approaching his position. Heeding this warning, Farinholt despatched couriers to the nearby areas of Halifax, Charlotte, and Mecklenburg in order to recruit additional forces, and on the morning of the battle, 642 reinforcements arrived, of whom 150 were regular soldiers and the rest volunteer fighters. June 23 is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 191 days remaining. ...

Realising that he would be under the surveillance of Union scouts, Farinholt ordered a train to run continually along the line from his position to a station further south^[2] in order to create the impression that he was receiving continual reinforcements. The illusion was further strengthened by local plantation owners who would host Union wounded during the battle, who would inform the Union forces that up to 10’000 Confederate forces awaited them at the bridge, as opposed to the 938 who were actually there.

As well as these 938 men, Farinholt commanded two earthwork sites on the southern bank of the river, and he positioned his 6 artillery pieces accordingly, with four in the fortress on the Eastern side of the rail line, and two on the western side. He also had constructed a network of concealed rifle trenches between the earthwork defences and the bridge itself.

At 3:45pm, according to reports by Farinholt, the Union forces arrived on the northern bank of the river “within a mile of my main redoubt”^[3]. However, Farinholt’s opening salvo fell short. Union commander Brigadier General August V. Kautz dismounted with his cavalry opposite the bridge, and advanced from both the east and the west.

Wilson-Kautz Raid, June 22 – June 30

Colonel Robert M. West, who commanded the Union forces attacking from the western side of the rail line, attempted to quickly capture the bridge and hold it for sufficient time to set fire to it, however his attack was repulsed. Meanwhile, the Union forces reached and occupied a drainage ditch situated 150 yards from the bridge, from which hey organised four unsuccessful charges, all of which were repulsed by fire from Farinholt’s concealed trench systems, which led to heavy Union casualties. June 22 is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 192 days remaining. ... June 30 is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 184 days remaining. ...

As “The sun was going behind the hills” General W. H. F. Lee arrived on the field with the Confederate cavalry forces that had been pursuing the Union raiders. Lee attacked the Union forces in the rear, and General James H. Wilson was forced to retire by midnight.

The following morning, Farinholt advanced with skirmishers onto the vacated Union positions, taking 8 prisoners and burying 42 Union dead. He noted his own casualties to be 10 killed and 24 wounded^[4][5].

Consequences of the battle

The defence of the Staunton River Bridge ensured the survival of the Richmond & Danville rail supply line, which was a key part of the chain supplying the besieged Confederate forces in Petersburg. However, Lee was forced to abandon Petersburg in April 1865 when his supply lines were finally cut. April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of four with the length of 30 days. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ...

External Links

• An account of the battle
• The Staunton River Battlefield State Park

See Also

• American Civil War
• Siege of Petersburg, Virginia

Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Siege of Petersburg Conflict American Civil War Date June 15, 1864–April 2, 1865 Place Petersburg, Virginia Result Union victory The Siege of Petersburg (June 15, 1864 – April 2, 1865) was a ten-month long siege of Petersburg, Virginia, during the American Civil War. ...

References

• http://www.stauntonriverbattlefield.org/history.html