1861–1865 - Civil War

The First Battle of Winchester was fought between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America on May 25, 1862. The outcome of the battle was a Confederate victory.

The Second Battle of Winchester was fought from June 13–15, 1863, during the Gettysburg Campaign. Confederate forces led by General Richard Ewell clashed with Union forces commanded by General Robert Milroy. Ewell’s forces surrounded Winchester, captured an important Union fort, and blocked Milroy’s attempt to evacuate. The Confederate victory cleared the upper Shenandoah Valley of Union resistance and opened the way for Robert E. Lee’s invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Thomas J. Wood was a prominent Union general who is most famous for participating in nearly every major campaign in the Western Theater of the Civil War. Although his reputation was damaged by his actions at the Battle of Chickamauga, he redeemed himself in subsequent battles and later served as a military commander during Reconstruction.

Horatio Wright was a prominent general officer in the Union Army during the Civil War. He is most well-known for commanding his men in many key battles and campaigns and serving as the Chief of Engineers for the U.S. Army in his later years.

The Yazoo Pass Expedition was a Union operation during the Vicksburg Campaign that lasted from February 3–April 8, 1863. Union forces attempted to reach Vicksburg through the Yazoo Pass but encountered Confederate defenses at Fort Pemberton. After several unsuccessful attacks, General Ulysses S. Grant canceled the expedition, resulting in a Confederate victory.

The Battle of Yellow Tavern was fought on May 11, 1864, during the Overland Campaign. General Philip Sheridan’s Union cavalry defeated General J.E.B. Stuart’s Confederate cavalry after Grant sent Sheridan to disrupt Confederate communication and supply lines near Richmond. Stuart was mortally wounded during the battle and died the next day.

The Siege of Yorktown was fought from April 5 to May 4, 1862, during the Peninsula Campaign. Confederate forces under John B. Magruder delayed George B. McClellan’s much larger Union army until Joseph E. Johnston withdrew toward Richmond. Although the United States won a tactical victory, the month-long delay allowed the Confederates to strengthen the defenses around Richmond, Virginia.

Tennessee native Felix Zollicoffer was a newspaperman, congressman, and Confederate general who was killed at the Battle of Mill Springs during the Civil War. He is most well-known for attending the Washington Peace Conference in 1860 and being one of the first Confederate general officers killed during the war.