JUNE 25, 1864:
The Battle of
Staunton River Bridge. Having been unsuccessful in cutting the Weldon Railroad
to the south, General Grant orders an attack on the Richmond and Danville Line
to the southwest, hoping to cut that supply
line. Union cavalry units numbering about 5,000 dispatched to do the job run
into a Confederate force of only 300 State Militia and reservists (mostly old
men and young boys) who hold off the Union attack until General Rooney Lee
arrives with 3,500 Regular Cavalry troopers. Knowing that the game is up if the
line is cut, they fight like wildcats. Although Union troops reach the line in
one place they are thrown back before they can do any damage. The Union forces
withdraw at day’s end, having suffered 120 casualties. The Confederates suffer
35.
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