Opequon Creek, Battle of

During the American Civil War, comprehensive Union victory over Confederate forces on 19 September 1864 in the vicinity of Winchester, Virginia. This battle conclusively removed the Shenandoah Valley from the operational scene for the remainder of the war.

A Union force under General Philip Sheridan had been clearing the Shenandoah Valley of Confederates and laying it waste until they were halted by a powerful Confederate force under General Jubal Early. With few good defensive positions in the area, Sheridan retired down the valley to Halltown; Early followed and took up a strong position on the Opequon Creek.

Early initially outnumbered Sheridan, but due to pressures elsewhere a division of Early's troops was removed and Sheridan attacked on 19 September. As there was only one approach road, the attack moved slowly to begin with, so the first Union troops lacked support and were barely able to sustain their assault. However, as the congestion cleared, Sheridan was able to pour troops in, took personal command at the front, and late in the afternoon drove the Confederates from their line. He pursued the Confederates vigorously, attacked Early again three days later, and drove him well up the valley in disorder.