The Civil War was not just fought on a handful of great battlefields. Dozens of lesser-known fights moved the tide of victory back and forth and set the stage for the bigger conflicts.
Select any battle to visit its battlefield pages
Brandy Station (June 1863) The largest cavalry battle of the Civil War was the opening move in the Gettysburg campaign and the first sign that Union cavalry had come of age.
Cedar Creek (October 1864) Jubal Early’s Confederates return from defeat to launch a surprise dawn attack that scatters the larger Union army. But Phil Sheridan arrives on the battlefield to rally his army and turn defeat to a stunning Union victory that breaks Confederate strength in the Shenandoah Valley once and for all.
The Crater (July 1864) A brilliant technical achievement by a regiment of Pennsylvania coal miners turns into a massacre through gross mismanagement in the Union high command during the Siege of Petersburg.
Fishers Hill (September 1864) The follow up to the Union victory at Third Winchester sees Early’s Confederates swept away from the strongpoint of the Shenandoah Valley.
Five Forks (April 1865) One final push by Warren’s Fifth Corps and Sheridan’s cavalry overruns Pickett’s Division while he is at a shad bake and dooms the Confederate defense of Richmond.
Front Royal (May 1862) Jackson’s Army of the Valley overruns a Union outpost in a surprise attack and begins his legendary Valley Campaign.
Guinea Station (May 1862) Here Jackson fought and lost his last battle – with pneumonia. The house in which he died has been restored and is maintained by the National Park Service.
Harrisonburg (June 1862) Jackson’s Valley Campaign continued as he successfully avoided being trapped by three Union armies, but lost his cavalry chieftain, Turner Ashby.
Harris Farm (May 1864) After the fighting died down at Spotsylvania both armies moved toward Richmond. Ewell launches a reconnaissance in force that turns into a major battle, but after the slaughter of the Mule Shoe it is barely noticed.
Hatcher’s Run (March 1865) Warren’s Fifth Corps makes yet another attempt to outflank Lee’s lines at Petersburg. And once again the Confederates hold, extend the trenches and stretch the lines a little thinner – but this will be the last time.
Hunterstown (July 1863) Custer’s Cavalry Brigade clashes with Hampton on the flank of the Battle of Gettysburg, forcing Hampton back and ultimately diverting resources from the fight for Culp’s Hill.
Kernstown (March 1862 and July 1864) Two battles on the same field with similar effects. In 1862 Stonewall Jackson’s only defeat nevertheless changed Union strategy and diverted thousands of men from McClellan’s offensive on Richmond. Early’s victory in 1864 did much the same, causing Grant to divert two corps from the Richmond and Petersburg fronts to eventually eliminate Early’s Army of the Valley.
Monocacy (July 1864) As Early’s invasion makes its way to an unprepared Washington it is held up for a day outside Frederick by a scratch force under Lew Wallace. Although a Union defeat, the delay allowed reinforcements from Grant to reach the capital, forcing Early to turn back.
Mount Jackson – The Confederate Hospital at Mount Jackson operated for most of the war.
New Market (May 1864) Hunter’s advance up the Shenandoah Valley is turned back in a battle which saw the legendary charge of the young cadets of VMI.
Petersburg (June 1864 – April 1865) The nine month Siege of Petersburg saw Grant’s armies repeatedly try to cut the supply lines to Richmond while Lee struggled to extend his trenches and stretch his badly outnumbered men.
Port Republic (June 1862) The last battle in Jackson’s Valley Campaign defeated the last of three armies that had been sent to trap Jackson’s much smaller force and allowed him to slip away from the Shenandoah Valley and join Lee at Richmond.
Rutherford Farm (July 1864) One of half a dozen actions fought around Winchester, this Union victory as Early withdrew from his raid on Washington would be turned around in four days at Kernstown.
Salem Church (May 1863) Hooker’s attempt to trap Lee between two pincers goes wrong and one of the pincers itself is nearly surrounded.
Shepherdstown (September 1982) A major crossing point of the Potomac in several campaigns, it saw the follow-up to the Battle of Antietam, when McClellan tried to pursue Lee’s retreating army.
South Mountain (September 1862) Lee boldly splits his army in his first invasion of the North as McClellan finds an unexpected burst of energy fueled by the infamous Lost Order. The result is a desperate fight of an outnumbered Confederate rear guard in the passes of South Mountain, giving Lee time to reconcentrate his army at Sharpsburg.
Strasburg – Banks’ main base in 1862 was hurriedly evacuated when Jackson outflanked him at the start of his Valley Campaign. The town would change hands repeatedly throughout the war.
Todd’s Tavern – A stopping point halfway between the Wilderness and Spotsylvania battlefields, it saw a cavalry fight and barely missed an infantry battle in May of 1864.
Williamsport – A vital crossing point of the Potomac River for several campaigns saw many skirmishes but just missed its great battle in 1863.
3rd Winchester (September 1864) The largest and bloodiest battle in the Shenandoah Valley forces Confederate troops out of Winchester once and for all, but predictions of their final defeat are premature.
Yellow Tavern (May 1864) Union cavalry is turned away from the gates of Richmond, but at the cost of a mortal wound to J.E.B. Stuart.
Wrightsville (June 1863) Gordon’s Brigade, advance guard for the Army of Northern Virginia, is stopped from crossing the Susquehanna when Union militia burn the mile-long bridge. It is the deepest penetration of Union territory in the Eastern Theater of the Civil War.