#opequan

[47thpennvols]

Ulysses S. Grant, half-length portrait, photograph by Barr & Young, published by J. C. Buttre, 1864 (U.S. Library of Congress, public domain)

As he penned his memoir in 1885 during the final days of his life, United States President and American Civil War hero Ulysses S. Grant made clear the significance of the Battle of Opequan, Virginia, which took place on 19 September 1864:

"Sheridan moved at the time he had fixed upon. He met Early at the crossing of Opequon Creek [September 19], and won a most decisive victory – one which electrified the country. Early had invited this attack himself by his bad generalship and made the victory easy. He had sent G. T. Anderson’s division east of the Blue Ridge [to Lee] before I [Grant] went to Harpers Ferry and about the time I arrived there he started with two other divisions (leaving but two in their camps) to march to Martinsburg for the purpose of destroying the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at that point. Early here learned that I had been with Sheridan and, supposing there was some movement on foot, started back as soon as he got the information. But his forces were separated and … he was very badly defeated. He fell back to Fisher’s Hill, Sheridan following."

[profamer]

Opequan (American Civil War). Fought September 19, 1864, 158 years ago, #war #history #event

Opequan (American Civil War). Fought September 19, 1864, 158 years ago, #war #history #event

Fought September 19, 1864, between 13,000 Confederates, under General Early, and 45,000 Federals, under General Sheridan. Success at first inclined to the side of the Southerners, but their left wing was broken by a charge of 7,000 cavalry, under Custer, and the Confederates were completely routed and fled in confusion. Source: Gutenberg.org Thank you for visiting.

[hotcupofcoffeee]

3-Barnstorm_2013_475 by BlueGoo Studios on Flickr.

[47thpennvols]

Battlefield Map for "Third Winchester," which was fought in Virginia on 19 September 1864 and was also known as the Battle of Opequan

[47thpennvols]

"Third Winchester" (aka the Battle of Opequon), published in Harper's Weekly, 8 October 1864

The Battle of Opequan (also spelled as Opequon), is also often referred to as "Third Winchester." Waged on 19 September 1864 in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, it resulted in a decisive victory for the Union Army, and helped President Abraham Lincoln secure reelection. (Image: Harper's Weekly, 8 October 1864). Learn more by reading, "Sheridan’s Tide-Turning Shenandoah Valley Campaign: The September Battles."

[47thpennvols]

Battle of Opequan, 19 September 1864 (Kurz & Allison, circa 1893, U.S. Library of Congress, public domain).

The victory of Philip Sheridan’s Union army over Jubal Early’s Confederate forces, Battle of Opequan, 19 September 1864 (Kurz & Allison, circa 1893, U.S. Library of Congress, public domain).

Known today as the Battle of Opequon, this American Civil War battle was part of Major-General Philip Sheridan's 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign, and is also often referred to as "Third Winchester." Learn more about the 47th Pennsylvania's involvement in this campaign by reading "Sheridan’s Tide-Turning Shenandoah Valley Campaign: The September Battles."

[47thpennvols]

#FlagDay: First State Color, 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry

First State Color, 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Presented to the regiment personally by Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Gregg Curtin, 20 September 1861.

Carried into combat during the American Civil War: Battle of Pocotaligo, South Carolina (October 1862). Red River Campaign, 1864: Battle of Sabine Crossroads/Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, and Monett's Ferry/Cane River, Louisiana (April 1864). Battle of Mansura, Louisiana (May 1864). Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1864: Battle of Cool Spring/Snicker's Gap, Virginia, (July 1864). Battles of Berryville, Opequan and Fisher's Hill, Virginia (September 1864). Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia (October 1864). Also carried by regimental soldiers as they defended the nation's capital in the wake of President Abraham Lincoln's assassination (April and early May 1865).

Retired and replaced with the 47th Pennsylvania's Second State Color, 11 May 1865.

[47thpennvols]

#CivilWar Map, Battle of Opequon, #Virginia, 19 Sep 1864 (aka “Third Winchester”) https://47thpennsylvania.wordpress.com/2017/09/03/sheridans-tide-turning-shenandoah-valley-campaign-from-lead-up-through-aftermath-virginia-july-december-1864/

[47thpennvols]

#CivilWar Opequon Creek “flow[ed] at the foot of a broad and thickly wooded gorge, with high and steep banks”. https://47thpennsylvania.wordpress.com/2017/09/03/sheridans-tide-turning-shenandoah-valley-campaign-from-lead-up-through-aftermath-virginia-july-december-1864/

Image: Opequon Crossing, c. 1930s (courtesy of Southern Methodist University).

[47thpennvols]

#CivilWar 19 Sep 1864 About a quarter before twelve o’clock, at the sound of Sheridan’s bugles, repeated from corps, division, and brigade headquarters, the whole line moved forward with great spirit, and instantly became engaged. –Richard B. Irwin

Learn more about the Battle of Opequon, Virginia (aka “Third Winchester”).

Image: Battle of Opequan [Kurz & Allison, circa 1893, public domain courtesy of the U.S. Library of Congress: LC-DIG-pga-01855 (digital file from original print) LC-USZC4-1753 (color film copy transparency)].

[47thpennvols]

#CivilWar Profiles: Sgt. Maj. William M. Hendricks

At the conclusion of part one of this biographical sketch of Sergeant-Major William McCullough Hendricks, the third year of the U.S. Civil War was winding down, but the sergeant and many of his fellow 47th Pennsylvanians had opted to reenlist to continue the fight to preserve America’s union.

Back home in Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, his brother Jacob S. Hendricks were among the men who “Paid the Commutation Money” to be exempted from the draft.

But Bill Hendricks was not about to opt for commutation. He was going to continue to serve – and in so doing, he and his fellow 47th Pennsylvanians would make history. Learn how in part two of his story.

Image: Battle of Opequan (U.S. Library of Congress, public domain).