Battle of High Bridge Facts

April 6–7, 1865

High Bridge Battle facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

Andrew Humphreys, Civil War General

Major General Andrew Humphreys’ Union 2nd Corps, prevented Confederate Major General William Mahone’s division from destroying strategic bridges spanning the Appomattox River on the morning of April 7, 1865, during the Battle of High Bridge. Image Source: Library of Congress.

Date and Location

  • April 6 – 7, 1865
  • Prince Edward and Cumberland Counties, Virginia

Campaign

Principal Union Commanders

  • Brigadier General Theodore Read
  • Major General Andrew A. Humphreys

Principal Confederate Commanders

  • Major General Thomas L. Rosser
  • Major General William Mahone

Union Forces Engaged

  • Elements of the Army of the James
  • 2nd Corps of the Army of the Potomac

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • 1st Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia
  • 3rd Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 880

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 1,200

Estimated Union Casualties

  • 847 (killed, wounded, 800 captured)

Estimated Confederate Casualties

  • 100 (killed, wounded, captured/missing)

Results of the Battle of High Bridge

The outcome of the Battle of High Bridge was inconclusive.

The Confederate failure to destroy the wagon bridge enabled the Union army to cross the Appomattox River and maintain their hot pursuit of the Army of Northern Virginia.

Timeline of the Battle of High Bridge

These are the main battles and events of the Appomattox Campaign in order.