Battle of Guard Hill

Other Names: Battle of Crooked Run, Battle of Cedarville, Battle of Front Royal

Location: Warren County, Virginia

Campaign: Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley campaign

Date: August 16, 1864

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. Thomas C. Devin [US]; Brig. Gen. William T. Wofford [CS]

Forces Engaged: Brigades

Casualties and losses: 551 total

Result(s): Inconclusive

Brief Description:

On the morning of August 16, Confederate troopers scattered the Federal pickets at the Shenandoah River crossing at Front Royal. The troopers pursued them down the Front Royal Pike, eventually coming to Guard Hill, a prominent landmark. There, they were hit by Union Brig. Gen. Thomas C. Devin's dismounted cavalry brigade and sustained heavy losses. Confederate Brig. Gen. William T. Wofford's brigade attempted a flanking movement by wading across Crooked Run. The Union's victory had been planned out very well. Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt, commander of the 1st Division, Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Shenandoah, confirmed the presence of the Confederate which forced Sheridan to order a retreat down the valley from the town, Front Royal. On the night of the battle, Sheridan's unit went back to their lines at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia and once the night had passed by, Merritt and his unit went to Nineveh, Virginia.