Bristoe Campaign Facts

October 13–November 7, 1863

Key facts about the Bristoe Campaign, a short series of engagements that took place in northeastern Virginia between October 13 and November 7, 1863, as the Union Army of the Potomac pursued the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia following the federal victory at the Battle of Gettysburg in July.

Portrait of George G. Meade

Under the command of Major General George G. Meade, the Union Army of the Potomac pursued the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia following the federal victory at the Battle of Gettysburg in July. [Wikimedia Commons]

Date and Location

  • October 13–November 7, 1863
  • Northeastern Virginia

Timeline of the Bristoe Campaign

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

Principal Union Commanders

Principal Confederate Commanders

Union Forces Engaged

  • Army of the Potomac

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • Army of Northern Virginia

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 76,000

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 45,000

Estimated Union Casualties

  • 1,000 casualties (killed, wounded, and captured)

Estimated Confederate Casualties

  • 3,500 (many of whom were captured at the Battle of Rappahannock Station)

Result

  • Union victory

Impact of the Bristoe Campaign

  • At the end of the Bristoe Campaign, the Union Army of the Potomac and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia were back where they roughly were when the campaign began.
  • Although the Bristoe Campaign began as a Confederate offensive, it resulted in a Union success because Meade forced Lee to concede the land between the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers.