Early's Valley Campaign - Facts

June–August 1864

Key facts about Confederate General Jubal Early's 1864 campaign in the Shenandoah Valley.

Portrait of Jubal A. Early

In early July 1864, Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s Army of the Valley entered Maryland from the Shenandoah Valley and threatened Washington, DC. [Wikimedia Commons]

Also Known As

  • Early’s Raid

Date and Location

  • June–August 1864
  • Eastern Maryland near Washington, DC

Timeline of Early’s Valley Campaign

These are the main battles and events of the Early’s Valley Campaign in order. The campaign was part of the larger Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864.

Principal Union Commanders

Principal Confederate Commanders

Union Forces Engaged

  • 6th, 19th, and 22nd Corps of the United States Army, makeshift force, most of whom were Hundred Days Men

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • Army of the Valley

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 15,000

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 14,000

Estimated Union Casualties

  • 1,500+ (killed, wounded, capture/missing)

Estimated Confederate Casualties

  • 1,200 – 1,400 (killed, wounded, captured/missing)

Result

  • Inconclusive

Impact of Early’s Valley Campaign

  • In early July 1864, Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s Army of the Valley entered Maryland from the Shenandoah Valley and threatened Washington, DC.
  • Major General Lew Wallace’s makeshift army lost the Battle of Monocacy (July 9, 1864), but the Union defeat bought precious time for Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant to shift troops from Eastern Virginia to check Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s advance on Washington, DC.
  • The Battle of Monocacy (July 9, 1864) has been called the “Battle that Saved Washington.”
  • At the Battle of Fort Stevens (July 11 – 12, 1864) Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s Army of the Valley threatened Washington, DC.
  • During the Battle of Fort Stevens, President Lincoln came under fire from Confederate sharpshooters as he watched the engagement.
  • In August 1864, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant ordered Major General Philip Sheridan to the Shenandoah Valley to bring an end to Early’s Raid.
  • Major General Philip Sheridan’s Army of the Shenandoah defeated Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s greatly outnumbered Army of the Valley at the Battle of Third Winchester (September 19) and the Battle of Fisher’s Hill (September 22), to end Early’s Raid.
  • Early’s Valley Campaign was the last Confederate offensive on Union soil during the American Civil War.
  • Early’s Valley Campaign was one of three campaigns that comprise the Shenandoah Valley Campaigns of 1864.