Battle of McDowell

Other Names: Sitlington's Hill

Location: Highland County, Virginia

Campaign: Jackson's Shenandoah Valley Campaign (1862)

Date: May 8, 1862

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. Robert Milroy and Brig. Gen. Robert Schenck [US]; Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson [CS]

Forces Engaged: 12,500 total (US 6,500; CS 6,000)

Casualties and losses: 256–259 [US]; 500–532 [CS]

Result(s): Confederate victory

Brief Description:

From Staunton, Maj. Gen. T.J. Jackson marched his army west along the Parkersburg Road to confront two brigades of Fremont's force (Milroy and Schenck), advancing toward the Shenandoah Valley from western Virginia. At McDowell on May 8, Milroy seized the initiative and assaulted the Confederate position on Sitlington's Hill. The Federals were repulsed after severe fighting, lasting four hours. Afterwards, Milroy and Schenck withdrew into western Virginia, freeing up Jackson's army to march against the other Union columns threatening the Valley. Despite retreating from the field, some sources have argued that the Union forces achieved a draw by fighting Jackson to essentially a standstill. However, the defeat of the Union force and Milroy and Schenck's withdrawal from the Shenandoah Valley provided the Confederates with a strategic victory.