Battle of Berryville

Other Names: None

Location: Clarke County, Virginia

Campaign: Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign (August-December 1864)

Date: September 3-4, 1864

Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan [US]; Lt. Gen. Jubal Early [CS]

Forces Engaged: Corps

Casualties and losses: 609 total

Result(s): Inconclusive

Brief Description:

Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan's divisions marched south from Halltown, reaching Berryville on September 3. Happening upon elements of Brig. Gen. George Crook's corps going into camp, Maj. Gen. R.H. Anderson's (Kershaw's) division attacked with limited results. During the night, Early brought up his entire army but by daylight found Sheridan's position too strongly entrenched to assault. General Early withdrew after dark behind Opequon Creek. Sheridan was unwilling to risk a pitched battle since a defeat in the Valley would open an invasion route to the North again just 2 months before the U.S. presidential election. Neither army moved for two weeks. The Battle of Berryville was Early's last engagement in Clark County and once he moved away, the confederates did not return to Berryville. Sheridan moved his forces into Winchester and other small Confederate Calvary especially those of Captain J. S. Mosby.