First Battle of Winchester

Other Names: Bowers Hill

Location: Frederick County and Winchester, Virginia

Campaign: Jackson's Shenandoah Valley Campaign (1862)

Date: May 25, 1862

Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks [US]; Maj. Gen. T.J. Jackson [CS]

Forces Engaged: 22,500 total (US 6,500; CS 16,000)

Casualties and losses: 2,419 total (US 2,019; CS 400)

Result(s): Confederate victory

Brief Description:

After skirmishing with Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks's retreating army at Middletown and Newtown on May 24, Maj. Gen. T.J. Jackson's division continued north on the Valley Pike toward Winchester. There, Banks was attempting to reorganize his army to defend the town. Ewell's division converged on Winchester from the southeast using the Front Royal Pike. On May 25, Ewell attacked Camp Hill, while the Louisiana Brigade of Jackson's division outflanked and overran the Union position on Bowers Hill. Panic spread through the Federal ranks, and many fled through Winchester. Banks's army was soundly defeated and withdrew north across the Potomac River. This was a decisive battle in Jackson's Valley Campaign.