Battle of Morton's Ford

Other Names: Rapidan River

Location: Orange County and Culpeper County, Virginia

Campaign: Demonstration on the Rapidan River (February 1864)

Date: February 6-7, 1864

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. J.C. Caldwell [US]; Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell [CS]

Forces Engaged: Corps

Casualties and losses: 723 total

Result(s): Inconclusive

Brief Description:

To distract attention from a planned cavalry-infantry raid up the Peninsula on Richmond, the Federal army forced several crossings of the Rapidan River on February 6. A II Corps division crossed at Morton's Ford, the I Corps at Raccoon Ford. Union cavalry crossed at Robertson's Ford. Ewell's Corps resisted the crossings. Fighting was sporadic but most severe at Morton's Ford. By February 7, the attacks had stalled, and the Federals withdrew during the night. After the battle, Hays was accused of being drunk during the battle and of acting irrationally. However, many officers, including several in his division, attested that Hays was sober throughout the engagement. All of the accusations about Hays being drunk at Morton's Ford came from the 14th Connecticut, which suffered nearly half of the Union casualties in the battle and may have felt resentment against Hays because of it.