Union cavalry escaped Confederate encirclement near Richmond by forcing a crossing at Meadow Bridge during the 1864 Overland Campaign.
Key Facts
- Date
- May 12, 1864
- Location
- Henrico County, Virginia
- Campaign
- Overland Campaign
- Union Commander
- Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan
- Confederate Artillery Commander
- Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee
- Bridge Forced by
- Michigan cavalry under Brig. Gen. George A. Custer
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following their victory at the Battle of Yellow Tavern on May 11, 1864, Union cavalry under Sheridan advanced toward Richmond. They became trapped between the city's fortifications and the rain-swollen Chickahominy River, where Confederate artillery under Fitzhugh Lee subjected them to heavy fire.
On May 12, 1864, Michigan cavalry led by Brig. Gen. George A. Custer forced a crossing of a damaged railroad bridge over the Chickahominy River at Meadow Bridge. Union engineers quickly repaired the bridge under fire, enabling the trapped Union cavalry to cross and escape the dangerous encirclement.
The successful crossing allowed Sheridan's cavalry to escape the trap between Richmond's defenses and the Chickahominy River, enabling them to continue their raid deeper into Confederate territory and ultimately return to Union lines after completing the broader Overland Campaign objectives.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, Brig. Gen. George A. Custer.
Side B
1 belligerent
Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee.