Battle of Haw's Shop

Other Names: Enon Church

Location: Hanover County, Virginia

Campaign: Grant's Overland Campaign (May-June 1864)

Date: May 28, 1864

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. David M. Gregg [US]; Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee and Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton [CS]

Forces Engaged: 4,000[US]; 4,500[CS]

Casualties and losses: 744 total (US 344; CS 400)

Result(s): Inconclusive

Brief Description:

Gregg's cavalry division, supported by Torbert's division, advanced to cover the Army of the Potomac's crossing of the Pamunkey River and movement toward Totopotomoy Creek. Fitzhugh Lee's and Hampton's cavalry divisions, later reinforced by Butler's South Carolina brigade, met the Federals at Enon Church. After seven hours of mostly dismounted cavalry fighting, the Federal advance was stopped. Both Confederate and Union infantry began arriving in the vicinity as the cavalry fighting raged. he Battle of Haw's Shop lasted for over seven hours and was the bloodiest cavalry battle since Brandy Station in 1863. It was an unusual battle in comparison to previous cavalry engagements in the Eastern Theater because it was fought predominantly by dismounted cavalry, many of which were protected by earthworks.