Battle of Moorefield

Other Names: Oldfields

Location: Hardy County, West Virginia

Campaign: Early's Raid and Operations against the B&O Railroad (June-August)

Date: August 7, 1864

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. William W. Averell [US]; Brig. Gen. John McCausland [CS]

Forces Engaged: 1,760 [US]; 3,000 [CS]

Casualties and losses: 531 total

Result(s): Union victory

Brief Description:

While returning to the Shenandoah Valley after burning Chambersburg, McCausland's and Johnson's cavalry were surprised at Moorefield on August 7 and routed by pursuing Union cavalry. This defeat impeded the morale and effectiveness of the Confederate cavalry for the remainder of the 1864 Valley Campaign. This battle was the last of the seven battles in Early's campaign against the B&O Railroad. The Confederate losses to capture might have been higher, but due to the speed of the Union advance many Confederates initially captured were able to escape as they were sent to the rear. Those captured were probably stragglers found by McNeill's rangers, who operated in the Moorefield area and chose not to camp with McCausland's brigades. The ill feelings between Johnson and McCausland continued, and they blamed each other for the defeat.