Cavalry skirmish in Virginia during the American Civil War
Warrenton Junction Raid
Part of the American Civil War
Fauquier County in Virginia
Date
May 3, 1863
Location
East of Warrenton, Virginia
Result
Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)
CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Maj. Josiah Steele 1WVA Maj. John Hammond 5NY
Maj. John S. Mosby
Units involved
1st WV Cavalry (det.) 5th NY Cavalry (det.)
Mosby's Rangers
Strength
1WVA 100, 5NY 40+
70-125
Casualties and losses
~19
~30
Mosby surprised 1st (West) Virginia, then 5th New York surprised Mosby
The Warrenton Junction Raid (May 3, 1863) was a surprise attack by Confederate guerrilla warriors on a Union cavalry detachment during the American Civil War. The raid took place near a railroad junction in Virginia's Fauquier County, less than 10 miles (16 km) from the town of Warrenton. Confederate Major (eventually Colonel) John S. Mosby led the attack against about 100 men from the Union's 1st (West) Virginia Cavalry. At first, the raid was very successful, as many of the Union soldiers surrendered to the rebels. The remaining portion of the surprised force was surrounded in a house, and two of their leaders were wounded. The house was set on fire, and the Union soldiers surrendered. As Mosby's men rounded up prisoners and horses, a detachment of the 5th New York Cavalry surprised the rebels and rescued most of the captured Union soldiers. After a short fight, more men from the 5th New York, and the 1st Vermont Cavalry, joined in the pursuit of Mosby's fleeing rebels.
Casualties for the detachment of the 1st (West) Virginia Cavalry, the unit surprised by Mosby, totaled 16 men. Although Mosby was forced to release most of his prisoners while escaping from the 5th New York Cavalry, he still managed to keep at least two West Virginians in captivity. Mosby lost 1 killed and at least 30 taken prisoner—many of whom were wounded. The 5th New York Cavalry had three men wounded.
The two sides involved in this minor fight became very skilled in warfare—but were still learning those skills at that time. The Union's 1st Virginia Cavalry, renamed 1st West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment two months later, became one of West Virginia's most effective regiments and had 14 Medal of Honor recipients. It fought at the Battle of Gettysburg, had an important role in eliminating the Confederate Army of the Valley, and was present at General Robert E. Lee's surrender of his Army of Northern Virginia. The Confederacy's Mosby's Rangers suffered their first defeat, but became masters of guerrilla warfare and were a constant concern for Union armies in eastern Virginia.
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Global Information
United States (Union)
CSA (Confederacy)