A decisive Confederate victory during the Gettysburg Campaign that routed the Union garrison at Winchester and opened the Shenandoah Valley route into Pennsylvania.
Key Facts
- Dates
- June 13–15, 1863
- Theater
- Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
- Campaign
- Gettysburg Campaign
- Confederate Commander
- Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell
- Union Commander
- Maj. Gen. Robert H. Milroy
- Outcome
- Decisive Confederate victory; large Union captures
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
As the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia launched its invasion northward toward Pennsylvania in June 1863, Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell's corps advanced through the Shenandoah Valley. Maj. Gen. Robert H. Milroy commanded the Union garrison at Winchester but repeatedly ignored orders from his superiors to withdraw his forces before the advancing Confederate strength.
Between June 13 and 15, 1863, Ewell's Confederate corps assaulted and overwhelmed the heavily fortified Union positions around Winchester, Virginia. Union forces retreated to a fort overlooking the city, which was abandoned by evening. Confederate troops then intercepted the Union line of retreat, inflicting heavy casualties and capturing a large number of soldiers and supplies in the ensuing rout.
The battle resulted in one of the worst Union defeats of the war, with substantial numbers of soldiers and stores captured and significant casualties among the retreating columns. Although Milroy himself escaped, he was severely censured for ignoring withdrawal orders. The Confederate victory cleared the Shenandoah Valley and allowed Ewell's corps to continue its advance into Pennsylvania, facilitating the broader Gettysburg Campaign.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Richard S. Ewell.
Side B
1 belligerent
Robert H. Milroy.