Battle of Front Royal
Front Royal, Virginia, USA
What happened
Confederate forces under Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson surprised Union troops under Colonel John Reese Kenly. Jackson's army fell on the Union garrison at Front Royal. Kenly's men fell back from hill to hill until Confederate cavalry crossed the river and broke their last line. Kenly and most of his men were captured.
Why it matters
It was part of Jackson's Valley campaign, which kept large numbers of Union troops in the Shenandoah Valley. Those troops could not join the Union attack on Richmond.
What came next
Union general Nathaniel Banks retreated north. Jackson won at Winchester on 25 May, then at Cross Keys and Port Republic in June.
Did you know?
Belle Boyd rode out to give Jackson information about the Union force, though historians think her role has been greatly exaggerated.
Timeline
- 23 May 1862Battle of Front Royal.
- 25 May 1862First Battle of Winchester.
- 8 June 1862Battle of Cross Keys.
- 9 June 1862Battle of Port Republic.