Battle of McDowell

Battle of McDowell. May 8, 1862 . Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign. , The Battle of McDowell , You're standing at the base of Sitlington's Hill, the key position during the Battle of McDowell., When Union forces under Gen. Robert H. Milroy advanced into this area and occupied the village of McDowell in April 1862, they threatened the city of Staunton, a key Confederate logistical center, 25 miles to the east. In response, Confederate Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson moved into the mountains to meet the threat., When the Confederates arrived here at midday on May 8, 1862, confederate Gen. Edward "Allegheny" Johnson took the vanguard of the southern force to the crest of Sitlington's Hill, a high ridgeline that overlooked McDowell. Milroy had been joined by reinforcements under Gen. Robert Schenck, his superior, but the Federals were still outmanned , and with the Confederates looming over them, badly outpositioned., Fearing that a withdrawal under Confederate guns could prove disastrous, Milroy and Schenck, decided to conduct a preemtive "spoiling attack," followed by a withdrawal after dark., The attack took Jackson and the Confederates by surprise. The Union regiments moved steadily up the steep and rugged slopes of the hill and inflicted heavy losses along the Confederate line, but reinforcements dispatched by Jackson enabled the southerners to hold. The fighting raged for hours until, well after dark, Milroy reluctantly ordered his regiments to disengage., The Union troops withdrew that night towards Franklin in modern-day West Virginia. The Confederates entered McDowell the next morning, where Jackson wrote a message to the Confederate capitol, "God bless our arms with victory at McDowell.",

"The full moon rose in all its beauty… but still the fight went on."

, Stonewall Jackson's 1862 Valley Campaign (March 23-June 9, 1862) , In the spring of 1862 during the American Civil War, a Union army of 100,000 was approaching the Confederate capital Richmond from the southeast. Another Union force of 30,000 men under Gen. Irvin McDowell was near Fredericksburg, ready to advance on Richmond from the north. By unleashing a vigorous offensive in the Shenandoah Valley, Confederate Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson sought to create a strategic diversion that would draw Federal troops away from the Confederate capital., After an initial setback at First Kernstown (March 23), Jackson moved south, eventually pausing at Conrad's Store (present-day Elkton). In early May, Jackson feinted east, then hurried west into the mountains to defeat Federal troops here at McDowell (May 8). Returning with the main Valley, he united with Gen. Richard Ewell's force and marched north to defeat Federals at Front Royal (May 23) and First Winchester (May 25)., When two Union armies attempted to cut him off, Jackson eluded the trap and raced south, with the Federals pursuing him on either side of Massanutten Mountain. Turning southeast at Harrisonburg, Jackson's army defeated the Federals at Cross Keys (June 8) and Port Republic (June 9). The Union forces then withdrew north, and Jackson, having accomplished his mission, moved east to join Gen. Robert E. Lee in front of Richmond., Jackson's brilliant campaign changed the course of the war. It not only tied up 60,000 Union troops, helping to save Richmond , it also infused new hope and enthusiasm for the Confederate cause.,

"The rumor of [Stonewall Jackson's] rapid movement and constant successes came like a wind from the mountains." , - John Esten Cooke

, May 8, 1862 , Union Commanders , Gen. Robert C. Schenck . Gen. Robert H. Milroy, Confederate Commanders , Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson . Gen. Edward "Allegheny" Johnson, Forces Engaged , 6,500 Union . 6,000 Confederates, Estimated Casualties , 259 Union . 532 Confederate, Result: , Confederate Victory