Trevilian Station, VA

Date(s): June 11-12, 1864

Location:

Campaign(s): Grant’s Overland Campaign [May-June 1864]

Battles in Campaign:

• Wilderness, VA - May 5-7, 1864 A

• Spotsylvania Court House, VA - May 8-21, 1864 A

• Yellow Tavern, VA - May 11, 1864 C¹

• Wilson's Wharf, VA - May 24, 1864 D¹

• Haw's Shop, VA - May 28, 1864 C¹

• North Anna, VA - May 23-26, 1864 B

• Totopotomoy Creek/ Bethesda Church, VA - May 28-30, 1864 B

• Old Church, VA - May 30, 1864 C¹

• Cold Harbor, VA - June 3-12, 1864

A

• Trevilian Station, VA - June 11-12, 1864 B

• Saint Mary's Church, VA - June 24, 1864 D¹

Situation:

Commanders:

• Union: Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan

• Confederate: Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton

Principal Forces:

• Union: Divisions

• Confederate: Divisions

Description:

• To draw off the Confederate cavalry and open the door for a general movement to the James River, Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan mounted a large-scale cavalry raid into Louisa County, threatening to cut the Virginia Central Railroad.

• On June 11th, Sheridan with Gregg’s and Torbert’s divisions attacked Hampton’s and Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry divisions at Trevilian Station.

• Sheridan drove a wedge between the Confederate divisions, throwing them into confusion.

• On the 12th, fortunes were reversed. Hampton and Lee dismounted their troopers and drew a defensive line across the railroad and the road to Gordonsville.

• From this advantageous position, they beat back several determined dismounted assaults.

• Sheridan withdrew after destroying about six miles of the Virginia Central Railroad.

• Confederate victory at Trevilian prevented Sheridan from reaching Charlottesville and cooperating with Hunter’s army in the Valley. This was one of the bloodiest cavalry battles of the war.

Slide Presentation: None

Classification²: B

Casualties³: 1,600

• Union:

• Confederate:

Results: Confederate Victory

Battlefield Websites: 

• Overland Campaign - Wikipedia

• The 1864 Overland Campaign Tour - CivilWarTraveler.com

Recommended Resources:

¹ National Park Service summary.

² Classification:

• A - having a decisive influence on a campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war

• B - having a direct and decisive influence on their campaign

• C - having observable influence on the outcome of a campaign

• D - having a limited influence on the outcome of their campaign or operation but achieving or affecting important local objectives

³ Casualties are someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.

Revised 01/02/2009