Key Facts
- Dates
- July 6–16, 1863
- Location
- Washington County, Maryland
- Prisoners taken
- 500+
- Notable casualty
- Brig. Gen. J. Johnston Pettigrew mortally wounded
- Campaign
- Gettysburg Campaign, American Civil War
Strategic Narrative Overview
Confederate cavalry under J.E.B. Stuart screened the retreat, repelling Union attacks at Hagerstown and Williamsport in early July. Brig. Gen. Imboden successfully defended Confederate supply trains against Buford's cavalry on July 7. Lee entrenched along the Potomac by July 11. Meade's Army of the Potomac probed but did not launch a full assault. Heavy skirmishing on July 13 preceded Lee's army beginning to cross the river after dark as the water level finally dropped enough to allow a new pontoon bridge.
01 / The Origins
Following the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, General Robert E. Lee began withdrawing his battered Army of Northern Virginia southward on the night of July 4–5. Heavy rains had swollen the Potomac River and a Union cavalry raid had destroyed Lee's pontoon bridge, trapping the Confederate army in Maryland and forcing it to establish a defensive perimeter near Williamsport and Hagerstown while awaiting a crossing opportunity.
03 / The Outcome
On July 14, Union cavalry under Kilpatrick attacked Heth's Confederate rearguard at Falling Waters, capturing over 500 prisoners but suffering the mortal wounding of Brig. Gen. Pettigrew on the Confederate side. On July 16, Gregg's cavalry engaged Confederate forces near Shepherdstown before withdrawing at nightfall. Lee's army completed its escape into Virginia, ending the campaign. Meade's failure to cut off the retreat drew criticism from President Lincoln.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, Brig. Gen. John Buford, Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick.
Side B
1 belligerent
Gen. Robert E. Lee, Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, Brig. Gen. John D. Imboden.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.