Lynchburg Campaign Facts

May–June, 1864

Key facts about the Lynchburg Campaign of 1864.

Portrait of Franz Sigel

In May 1864, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant ordered Major General Franz Sigel (pictured here) to invade western Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Sigel’s Lynchburg Campaign was the first of three campaigns that comprise the Shenandoah Valley Campaigns of 1864. [Wikimedia Commons]

Advertisement

Date and Location

  • May–June 1864

Location

  • Northern Virginia
  • Central Virginia
  • Augusta County
  • Shenandoah County

Timeline of the Lynchburg Campaign

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

Advertisement

Principal Union Commanders

Principal Confederate Commanders

Union Forces Engaged

  • Department of West Virginia

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • Department of Western Virginia, Army of the Valley District

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Undetermined, but at least 16,600

 Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Undetermined, but at least 14,000

Estimated Union Casualties

  • Undetermined, but at least 1,700 (killed, wounded, captured/missing)

Estimated Confederate Casualties

  • Undetermined, but at least 2,000 (killed, wounded, captured/missing)

Result

  • Inconclusive

Impact of the Lynchburg Campaign

  • The Lynchburg Campaign was the first of three smaller campaigns that comprise the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864.
  • Confederate forces during the Lynchburg Campaign included cadets from the Virginia Military institute
  • Ulysses S. Grant relieved Major General Franz Sigel of his command after the Confederate victory at the Battle of New Market.
  • Ulysses S. Grant placed Brigadier General David Hunter in command of Union forces in the Shenandoah Valley after the Confederate victory at the Battle of New Market.
  • Brigadier General David Hunter’s soldiers burned the Virginia Military Institute and plundered the Lexington, Virginia on June 12 in retaliation for the Union defeat at the Battle of New Market.
  • The Lynchburg Campaign ended with the Union defeat at the hands of Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal Early at the Battle of Lynchburg (June 17 – 18, 1864).
Advertisement

Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Article Title Lynchburg Campaign Facts
  • Date May–June, 1864
  • Author
  • Website Name American History Central
  • Access Date March 23, 2023
  • Publisher R.Squared Communications, LLC
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update April 19, 2022

Lynchburg Campaign Facts is Part of the Following on AHC

Advertisement