Page 77

(Piedmont)

Piedmont

June 5-6, 1864
Augusta County, VA
Campaign: Raiding Lee�s Breadbasket

Maj. Gen. David Hunter, USA
Brig. Gen. William E. Jones, CSA

The Union mustered around 8,500; the Confederates roughly 5,500.

Union losses were a little under 900; Confederate losses around 1,500.

After replacing Sigel in command of Union forces in the Shenandoah Valley, Maj. Gen. �Black Dave� Hunter renewed the Union offensive.

On June 5, Hunter engaged the Confederate army under �Grumble� Jones north of Piedmont.  After severe fighting, a flanking movement made by Thoburn�s brigade turned Jones�s right flank.  Jones was killed while trying to stem the retreat of his soldiers.  The retreat became a rout: more than 1,000 Confederates, including 60 officers, were captured as well as three guns.

Hunter occupied Staunton on June 6 and, after a pause to await the arrival of Brig. Gen. George Crook�s column, began to advance on Lynchburg, destroying military stores and public property in his wake.

Page 77

(Piedmont)