David Hunter's Raid | Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864
After Franz Sigel's poor performance at the Battle of New Market, Ulysses S. Grant replaced him with Maj. Gen David Hunter. Grant ordered him to institute “scorched earth” tactics on the people and Confederate forces in and around the Shenandoah Valley. On June 5, 1864, Hunter successfully defeated Major General William Jones in the Battle of Piedmont in Augusta County. Hunter then moved further up the Valley towards the south to Lexington. In Lexington, Hunter burned the local military university, Virginia Military Institute, in an act of retaliation for the Battle of New Market. Dormitories were burned, lecture halls were shelled, and a statue of George Washington was confiscated by Union forces. Hunter also wreaked havoc on nearby Washington College (later named Washington and Lee University). Following the destruction in Lexington, Hunter moved further up the Valley to Lynchburg. On June 17-18, 1864, Hunter fought against Lieutenant General Jubal Early, who was sent to push Hunter back down the Valley. Early was successful, resulting in another Union command change.
Sarah Kay Bierle and Andy Poulton of the American Battlefield Trust continue our anniversary coverage.
This video is part of our video series commemorating the 160th Anniversary of the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. View the full playlist here: • The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864 | 1...
The American Battlefield Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters. We permanently protect these battlefields for future generations as a lasting and tangible memorial to the brave soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.