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Description:
After the Federal victory at Fisher's Hill, Gen. Philip Sheridan
pursued Confederate Gen. Jubal Early's army south through the Shenandoah
Valley as far as Staunton. On October 6, sensing that the conquest
of the Valley was complete, Sheridan began a withdrawal north toward
Cedar Creek. The Federal cavalry commanded by Gen. Torbert fanned
out on both sides of the Valley and burned most of what could be
deemed of military significance, including barns and mills. Reinforced
by Confederate Gen. Joseph Kershaw's division, Early followed north
behind Sheridan. Gen. Rosser, commanding a Confederate cavalry division,
harassed the retreating Federals and killed a number of them. On
October 9, Torbert's troopers with superior numbers and firepower
turned on the pursuers, routing the divisions of Rosser and Gen.
Lunsford Lomax at Tom's Brook. The Federals furiously pursued the
retreating Confederates through the Shenandoah County seat at Woodstock
leading to the sobriquet, the “Woodstock Races”. With
this victory, the Federal cavalry attained overwhelming superiority
in the Valley and the fabled Confederate cavalry lost it effectiveness.
Significance:
Tom’s Brook, also known
as the “Woodstock Races”, was the largest cavalry battle
in the Shenandoah Valley. It demonstrated the importance of cavalry
in the pursuit phase of a battle. The battle ended the effectiveness
of Confederate cavalry in the Shenandoah Valley.
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