Battles & Campaigns · 1863
Battle of Williamsport
Williamsport, Maryland, USA
What happened
Lee's army reached the Potomac River at Williamsport but could not cross, because the river was high and a Union raid had destroyed its pontoon bridge. Lee dug in to protect the crossings while Union cavalry probed his lines. On 13 July the river fell enough to build a new bridge, and Lee's army crossed into Virginia after dark.
Why it matters
Lee's army escaped back to Virginia instead of being trapped against the river. The result is counted as inconclusive.
What came next
Union cavalry attacked the Confederate rear guard on 14 July and took more than 500 prisoners, but the main army was already across.
Did you know?
The fighting is also called the Battle of Hagerstown or of Falling Waters, a name also used for an earlier fight in 1861.
Timeline
- 1–3 Jul 1863Battle of Gettysburg.
- 8 Jul 1863Battle of Boonsboro.
- 10 Jul 1863Battle of Funkstown.
- 13 Jul 1863Lee's army begins crossing the Potomac.
- 14 Jul 1863Union cavalry strike the Confederate rear guard.