Battle of Lynchburg

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Lynchburg Campaign
New Market – Piedmont – Lynchburg

The Battle of Lynchburg took place on June 17 through June 18 1864. It was an American Civil War battle in Virginia, part of the Valley Campaigns of 1864.

The battle was fought when Maj. Gen. David Hunter led his Union forces from Lexington in an attempt to take Confederate rail and canal depots, as well as a hospital, located in Lynchburg. Upon reaching the outskirts of the town on June 17, Hunter's forces were met by Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early's Second Corps vanguard, who had arrived by rail from Charlottesville. Due to a lack of supplies, Hunter was forced to retreat.

Hunter's retreat route through West Virginia left a gaping hole in the Union's forces in the Shenandoah Valley, allowing Confederate advance into Maryland.

References

[National Park Service battle description]

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