Battle of Smithfield Crossing

Other Names: None

Location: Jefferson and Berkeley County, West Virginia

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

Date: August 25-29, 1864

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt [US]; Lt. Gen. Jubal Early [CS]

Forces Engaged: Divisions

Casualties and losses: 300 total

Result(s): Inconclusive

Brief Description:

On August 29, two Confederate infantry divisions crossed Opequon Creek at Smithfield and forced back Merritt's Union cavalry division back along the road to Charles Town. Ricketts's infantry division was brought up to stop the Confederate advance. Completing his missions of neutralizing Early and suppressing the Valley's military-related economy, Sheridan returned to assist Grant at the Siege of Petersburg. Most of the men of Early's corps rejoined Lee at Petersburg in December, while Early remained to command a skeleton force. His final action was defeat at the Battle of Waynesboro on March 2, 1865, after which Lee removed him from his command because the Confederate government and people had lost confidence in him.