The Battle of Ashland, VA.

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Here a Cavalry engagement where the confederate could have capture a bunch of Yankee cavalry... We have dismounted cavalry fighting hand to hand and house to house... read the link and learn about the exciting details...

The Battle of Ashland – Ashland Museum

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THE BATTLE OF ASHLAND happened June 1, 1864. It involved Hanover Courthouse, Ellett’s Bridge over the South Anna River, and the Richmond Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad tracks. It has largely been ignored by historians until recently, but it was important to those who experienced it. The larger context of the Battle of Ashland was Federal General Ulysses S. Grant’s campaign toward Richmond in the spring and summer of 1864, and in particular, the early June 1864 Battle of Cold Harbor.

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So McIntosh’s Union brigade was situated in Ashland and boxed in on the North, South, and East by the Confederates. The only escape route was west, but that would separate McIntosh’s brigade even more from the rest of the Union forces. It was an unexpected, perfect opportunity for Wade Hamptons’s cavalry to capture McIntosh’s entire cavalry brigade!

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Who won the Battle of Ashland? The Union did succeed in destroying the 2 railroad bridges and tracks in Ashland as well, but they paid a price in heavy casualties. The Confederates did not capture McIntosh’s brigade, but they did cause heavy casualties, chased the Union out of Ashland, and captured valuable Union horses and supplies as well. And within days, the Confederates had rebuilt the tracks and bridges. Both sides thought they had won. In the end, the Battle of Ashland was not an important strategic battle. Gordon Rhea writes in his Cold Harbor: Grant and Lee, “The battle at Ashland, like most Civil War cavalry engagements, was stirring to participants but represented little more than a sideshow.” The important battle at Old Cold Harbor, according to Rhea, was to be decided by the Infantry, not the dashing Cavalry that fought at the Battle of Ashland.3

 

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More about Ashland and the war... big cemetery and hospitals...

Ashland During the Civil War, 1861-1865 – Ashland Museum

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The pretty village of Ashland, that we had passed, was—oh how changed! Tents, tents, tents, soldiers and horses. Nothing more to be seen. The latter were ranged along the sides of the roads under the trees, with heaps of fodder lying around, saddles and other accoutrements hung upon the branches, and all those pretty summer dwellings, and the long dining-hall, converted into barracks. It looked more like one great stable-yard than anything else.” From Life in the South from the commencement of the war by a blockaded British Subject

 

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Ashland put a artillery unit in the war...

History of the Ashland (Virginia) Artillery in the Civil War

History of the Ashland (Virginia) Artillery in the Civil War, with timeline of important events, battles and movements

civilwarintheeast.com

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Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)
Commanded by Captain Pichegru Woolfolk, Jr. The battery was armed with one 12-pounder iron howitzer, two 10-pounder Parrott rifles and one 6-pounder gun attached from the Middlesex battery.

From the War Department marker for Longstreet’s Reserve Artillery in front of the National cemetery:

The Reserve Artillery crossed the Antietam about 8 A.M. of the 15th and took position on the high ground overlooking the creek to the east and south of Sharpsburg. Eubank’s Battery was posted on the bluff commanding the Burnside Bridge. At 1 P.M. the Reserve Artillery engaged the long-range guns of the enemy along the heights on the east bank of Antietam Creek. During the night of the 15th the Reserve Artillery was moved to the left, to a position near the Dunkard Church.

From the War Department marker for Longstreet’s Reserve Artillery along Hagerstown Pike:

At daybreak of the 17th the Ashland Artillery, the Bedford Artillery, the Brooks Artillery and Parker’s Battery, went into position on the ridge east of the Dunkard Church. At about 7 A.M., the Brooks Artillery was withdrawn and the Madison Artillery took its place, one section advancing to the open field field north. About 8:15 A.M., the Batteries were withdrawn to a position west of the Hagerstown road and about 600 yards south of the Dunkard Church. At 9 AM, they were withdrawn to Sharpsburg. At 3 P.M., they formed on the high ground commanding the Boonsboro Pike and the Middle Bridge over the Antietam. Eubanks’ Battery was detached from the Battalion on the 15th and was in support of Toombs’ Brigade in front of the Burnside Bridge.

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Battle of Gettysburg
The battery was commanded by Captain Pichegru Woolfolk, Jr.

From the War Department marker on the Gettysburg battlefield:

Army of Northern Virginia
Longstreet’s Corps Artillery Reserve
Alexander’s Battalion Woolfolk’s Battery
The Ashland Virginia Artillery
Two 20 Pounder Parrotts Two Napoleons​

July 2. Took position here 4.30 P. M. and opened fire. Joined soon in the advance of the infantry During remainder of the day occupied position on the crest near Peach Orchard and was actively engaged in firing upon the new line of the Union forces.

July 3. In position near N. E. corner of Spangler’s Woods on left of the artillery line which occupied the ridge from Peach Orchard to that point. Took part in the cannonade preceding Longstreet’s assault followed and supported it. Aided then in repelling sharpshooters and withdrew at midnight.

July 4. In position near here until 4 P. M. Then withdrew to Marsh Creek on Fairfield Road.

Losses heavy but not reported in detail