Battles & Campaigns · 1864
Battle of Tom's Brook
Tom's Brook, Shenandoah County, Virginia, USA
What happened
Union cavalry under Alfred Torbert, with Custer, fought Confederate cavalry under Thomas L. Rosser and Lunsford L. Lomax. During Philip Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, Confederate cavalry were following Sheridan's army. The Union cavalry turned and attacked, and Custer's men went around the Confederate side along Spiker's Hill. Both Confederate divisions were routed.
Why it matters
The win gave the Union cavalry 'overwhelming superiority in the Valley'. It came as Jubal Early was trying to pursue Sheridan up the valley.
What came next
Ten days later, Early's army was beaten at Cedar Creek.
Did you know?
The Confederate retreat was so fast that it was mockingly called the 'Woodstock Races'.
Timeline
- 19 Sep 1864Third Battle of Winchester.
- 9 Oct 1864Battle of Tom's Brook.
- 19 Oct 1864Battle of Cedar Creek.