Library of Congress

Tom's Brook

Woodstock Races

Shenandoah County, VA  |  Oct 9, 1864

After his victory over Maj. Gen. Jubal Early's Confederates at Fisher's Hill, Maj. Gen. Phil Sheridan conducted a two-week long scorched earth campaign in the Shenandoah Valley known as “The Burning.” As Sheridan’s army moved north destroying mills, barns and crops, they were pursued by Confederate cavalry. Union cavalry covered the rear of the column until Sheridan ordered an attack against the Confederates. In the resulting cavalry-on-cavalry battle on October 9, 1864, Union troopers routed Early's mounted arm, impairing its morale and efficiency for the remainder of the campaign. The hasty retreat of the Confederate cavalry was referred to by Valley residents as the "Woodstock Races."

All battles of the Sheridan's Valley Campaign

Summit Point
Jefferson County, WV  |  Aug 21, 1864
Result: Inconclusive
Est. Casualties: 1,000
Third Winchester
Frederick County, VA  |  Sep 19, 1864
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 8,630
Union: 5,020
Confederate: 3,610
Fisher's Hill
Shenandoah County, VA  |  Sep 21 - 22, 1864
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 1,763
Union: 528
Confederate: 1,235
Tom's Brook
Shenandoah County, VA  |  Oct 9, 1864
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 407
Union: 57
Confederate: 350
Cedar Creek
Frederick County, Shenandoah County and Warren County, VA  |  Oct 19, 1864
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 8,824
Union: 5,764
Confederate: 3,060

Related Battles

Shenandoah County, VA | October 9, 1864
Result: Union Victory
Commanders
Forces Engaged
9,800
Union
6,300
Confed.
3,500
Estimated Casualties
407
Union
57
Confed.
350

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