Battle of Bristoe Station
Bristoe Station, Virginia, USA
What happened
The Union II Corps under Gouverneur K. Warren, part of George G. Meade's army, fought A.P. Hill's Confederate corps of Robert E. Lee's army. Hill hurried to attack what he thought was the Union rear guard, not knowing that Warren's corps had just arrived. Warren's soldiers waited behind a railroad embankment and drove back the Confederate attacks, capturing five cannons.
Why it matters
Meade's army was able to continue its withdrawal to Centreville without being attacked. Warren's handling of the fight built his reputation as a corps commander.
What came next
Lee's army retired toward the Rappahannock, tearing up much of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, which Meade later had to rebuild.
Did you know?
When Hill tried to explain the defeat, Lee reportedly cut him short and said they should say no more about it.
Timeline
- 14 Oct 1863Battle of Bristoe Station.
- 18 Oct 1863Lee's Confederates begin to pull back, tearing up the Orange and Alexandria Railroad as they go.
- 7 Nov 1863Union troops overrun the Confederate bridgehead at Rappahannock Station.