Dictionary of Battles: From the Earliest Date to the Present TimeHarbottle, Thomas Benfield
History
Dictionary of Battles: From the Earliest Date to the Present Time
Harbottle, Thomas Benfield
Battles
Fought May 5 to 8, 1864, between the Army of the Potomac, 150,000
strong, under General Grant, and 53,000 Confederates, under General Lee.
Lee’s object was to intercept Grant’s advance on Richmond, and early on
the morning of the 5th he attacked the approaching Federal columns, and
after a hard-fought day, succeeded in arresting the progress of Grant’s
right wing. On the 6th, Lee almost succeeded in breaking Grant’s centre,
but at the critical moment, Longstreet, who was to lead the attack, was
fired upon and dangerously wounded by his own troops. The Federal right
wing, however, was driven back in confusion, and Lee on his side lost no
ground. The two following days minor skirmishes took place, leading up
to the great battle of Spottsylvania. The Confederates lost about 8,000
in the two days’ fighting. The Federal losses were far heavier,
amounting to 15,000 in the second day alone.
Williamsburg (American Civil War).
Fought May 5, 1862, between the Confederates, under General Magruder,
and the Federals, under General M’Clellan. Magruder occupied a very
strong position and held the Federals at bay throughout the day, but
being greatly outnumbered, withdrew during the night. The Federals lost
2,228 killed, wounded and missing, the Confederate loss being much
smaller.
Wilson’s Creek (American Civil War).
Fought August 6, 1861, between 6,000 Federals, under General Lyon, and
16,000 Confederates, under General M’Culloch. General Lyon divided his
force into two columns, for the attack on M’Culloch’s position, and that
led by himself surprised the Southerners, and gained a partial success.
They rallied, however, and beat him off, Lyon falling, the other column
being also repulsed. The Federals lost 1,236, and the Confederates 1,095
killed, wounded and missing.
Wimpfen (Thirty Years’ War).
Fought April 26, 1622, between 14,000 Palatinate troops, under the
Margrave of Baden, and the Imperialists, under Count Tilly and Gonsalvo
de Cordova. Tilly attacked the Margrave’s camp, which was not
entrenched, and though a brilliant cavalry charge captured his guns, it
was not supported by the Palatine infantry, and the Imperialists
rallying, drove off the cavalry in disorder, recovered the guns, and
then routed the infantry, with a loss of 2,000 killed and wounded, and
all their artillery, baggage and camp equipment.
Winchester (American Civil War).
Fought June 14, 1863, when 7,000 Federals, under General Milroy, were
defeated by three Confederate divisions, under General Ewell, and forced
to retreat with heavy loss, including 3,700 prisoners and 30 guns.
Winkovo (Moscow Campaign).
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