Battle of Trevilian Station - Virginia Central Railroad Damaged
Description: To draw off the Confederate cavalry and open the door for a general movement to the James River, Maj.
Gen. Philip Sheridan mounted a large-scale cavalry raid into Louisa County, threatening to cut the Virginia Central Railroad. On June 11, Sheridan with the Gregg’s and Torbert’s divisions attacked Hampton’s and Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry divisions at Trevilian Station. Sheridan drove a wedge between the Confederate divisions, throwing them into confusion. On the 12th, fortunes were reversed. Hampton and Lee dismounted their troopers and drew a defensive line across the railroad and the road to Gordonsville. From this advantageous position, they beat back several determined dismounted assaults. Sheridan withdrew after destroying about six miles of the Virginia Central Railroad. Confederate victory at Trevilian prevented Sheridan from reaching Charlottesville and cooperating with Hunter’s army in the Valley. This was one of the bloodiest cavalry battles of the war.
The Battle of Trevilian Station (also called Trevilians) was fought on June 11 and June 12, 1864, in Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign against Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Union cavalry under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan were defeated in their objectives by Confederate cavalry under Maj. Gens. Wade Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee. It was the largest all-cavalry battle of the war.
More information
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Trevilian Station Battlefield Foundation
www.trevilianstation.org
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Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park - Battle of Trevilian Station
www.nps.gov
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Battle of Trevilian Station Virtual Tour by Markers
www.hmdb.org