In early July 1861, Union Major General Robert Patterson’s army (largely three-month Pennsylvania volunteers, about 18–25,000 strong) occupied Martinsburg in the Shenandoah Valley. After a minor clash at Falling Waters (Hoke’s Run) on July 2, Patterson remained inactive for nearly two weeks.
Opposite him, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston had moved his forces (approximately 10–12,000) into the vicinity of Bunker Hill, a small village on the Winchester–Martinsburg turnpike. By mid-July, Johnston had withdrawn the bulk of his army back to Winchester, leaving a cavalry detachment at Bunker Hill as a rearguard and observation post. This Confederate cavalry force, about 600 mounted men under Lt. Col. J.E.B. Stuart, patrolled the turnpike to watch Patterson’s movements.
On July 15, Patterson’s army finally began moving, intending to occupy Bunker Hill and then head east to what is today Charles Town, WV. In Patterson’s official report, he mentioned his advance was “opposed only by a body of six hundred cavalry, of which one was killed and five taken prisoners.” The “Battle of Bunker Hill” has its own Wikipedia page, but what actually happened there? What units were involved and were there actually any casualties?
Join us as we scour the primary sources to piece together the truth behind this obscure early Civil War skirmish.
Check it out at the links below:
Spirit of '61 