March 2, 1865
The Federal occupation of Staunton, VA, by Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, USA.
The Engagement at Waynesboro, VA, where Brig. Gen. George Armstrong Custer, USA, completely routs the Confederates under Lieut. Gen. Jubal A. Early, CSA, capturing over 1,000 and over 200 wagons of supplies. The Confederates easily gave way which indicates the current morale of the Southern man fighting in the Shenandoah Valley, as compared to the “invincibility” felt by the Rebel “foot cavalry” under Lieut. Gen. Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson, in earlier days of glory, which now seemed so far away. The Confederate remnants under Lieut. Gen. Jubal Early march toward Richmond, VA. This engagement is effectively the last in the Shenandoah Valley, VA.
The 91st New York, with 1600 men, arrives at City Point from Baltimore, Maryland, and is assigned to the Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac.
Army of the Potomac Chief of Staff Major General Alexander S. Webb departs from the Siege of Petersburg on a leave a absence.
General Robert E. Lee indicates Fitzhugh Lee’s Cavalry Division is to move near Richmond, Virginia, ready to move to the Shenandoah Valley if necessary following General Early’s defeat at Waynesboro.
Note: All “Today In The Petersburg Campaign” blog entries are used with permission from Ronald A. Mosocco’s Chronological Tracking of the American Civil War per the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion. Order the book HERE.
Copyright © 1993, 1994 by Ronald A. Mosocco