Battle of Piedmont

From Dixiepedia: The PC-Free Encyclopedia

Battle in the Shenandoah Valley on June 5th, 1864.

Immediately after the drubbing the Union Army of the Shenandoah received at the hands of John C. Breckenridge (New Market, May 15th, 1864), Union General Franz Sigel retreated to Cedar Creek. Robert E. Lee needed reinforcements, and figured that the Union forces in the Valley would be a few weeks in repairing the damage to their forces in the Valley, so he ordered Breckenridge to bring the Army of the Valley District over the Blue Ridge to join him near Hanover.

Even though Lincoln needed the maintain the German vote, Sigel was too incompetent to keep in an active position, so Lincoln dumped him, and replaced him with Virginian "Black Dave" Hunter.

Hunter received some small reinforcements, and headed south "up" the Valley.

Having stripped the Valley District of all Confederate forces except John D. Imboden's Virginia cavalry brigade, Lee had to cast about for a scratch force to oppose Hunter's larger force. He ordered Confederate General "Grumble" Jones to take what forces he could assemble and head north to Staunton. Imboden was to delay the Yankees as he could in the meantime.

Jones arrived in Staunton on June 4th. Imboden coordinated strategy and they agreed to face the Yankees at Mount Crawford. Hunter's cavalry reported the Confederates in the strong position at Mount Crawford, but the way clear via Port Republic, so Hunter swung off the Valley Pike, and headed southeast. Discovering this move, Imboden advised Jones to make a stand at Barren Ridge, and left to harass and delay Hunter's advance.

As Imboden's men arrived at Piedmont, Imboden was surprised to find Jones and the Confederates there. Jones believed that the Piedmont position was superior to Barren Ridge.

Not having time to change, Jones prepared to receive Hunter there. Jones stationed Monroe Blue's Boy's Battery near the center, and the Niter and Mining Corps along the ridge west of the main Port Republic-Staunton road. He stationed John Vaughn's brigade of east Tennessee mounted infantry on the right or east of the main road. Once Imboden's men had delayed Hunter as much as they could, his men joined the Confederate extreme right, extending the thin Confederate line to the base of Round Hill.

The initial Yankee advance was repulsed with loss. Hunter brought up artillery and infantry but they were repulsed as well. Then came the climax of the battle. Yankee General James Thoburn launched his brigade against the Confederate right-center. As they advanced across the swell, they wheeled to their right and advanced against an angle in Jones' line. As they did this, they presented their flank to Vaughn's Mounted Infantry, inviting Vaughn to sweep down on them and break up the attack. Vaughn let the golden opportunity pass (claiming he had no orders to attack). Thoburn shattered the Confederate center. Jones attempted to rally his men, but was killed. Thereafter, the rest of Jones' infantry was taken in flank, and collapsed.

Of 5,600 Confederates engaged, 1,600 were killed, wounded or captured. Yankee forces consisted of 10,500 and their losses were 875. The next day, Yankees finally occupied the Confederate supply depot and railhead at Staunton (after two years of trying), sacking the town. Hunter continued south to Lexington, burning VMI and Gov. Letcher's private residence, before crossing the Blue Ridge and threatening Lynchburg. This threat was serious enough to cause Lee to dispatch Jubal Early and the ANV's II Corps to save the Valley once again.

John B. Gordon, a soldier of no small experience, viewed the battlefield later that month, described the battle damage as the most severe he saw in the war.

This small engagement had an enormous impact on the course of the war. The land today is all privately owned, although a UDC monument marks the spot.

Bibliography

Marshall Moore Brice, Conquest of a Valley

Scott C. Patchan, The Forgotten Fury

Gary C. Walker, Hunter’s Fiery Raid through Virginia Valleys

Harold R. Jr. Woodward, John Imboden: Defender of the Valley