Winchester, Virginia was the scene of three sharp battles during the American Civil War. On March the 11th, 1862, Jackson, having evacuated Winchester, where he had been stationed, marched up the valley to be in easy communication with Johnston's army. Learning that Shields, weakened by the withdrawal of part of his force, was pursuing him, Jackson determined to engage that general. He commanded 10,000 Confederates, while Shields had 7000 Federals. However, the latter concealed his true strength by feigning retreat. The battle took place just outside of Winchester, Shields holding a strong position. The Confederates suffered a severe defeat.
On June the 15th, 1863, the Federal leader, Milroy, lay encamped near Winchester with about 7000 troops. Hooker was following Lee, who was then supposed to be marching on Washington. Ewell and Longstreet, leading 18,000 Confederates, came upon Milroy as they were hastening to join Lee. Milroy, ignorant of their superiority in numbers held his post until it was too late to retreat. Then he defended himself as best he could, but in vain. The Confederate lines closed around him, defeating him utterly. Part of his army escaped to Harper's Ferry and part fled into Pennsylvania. Twenty-nine guns and 4000 prisoners were captured.
During Early's raid through the Shenandoah Valley on July the 12th 1864 part of his army encountered near Winchester a small force of Federals under General Averell. The battle did not last long for Averell was greatly outnumbered. He was easily defeated, losing three guns and about 400 men. Early then marched on Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
In 1864, while Sheridan, commanding 40,000 Federals, and Early with nearly as large an army of Confederates, were manoeuvring around Winchester, an engagement occurred near the town, in which the Confederates were defeated, Sheridan capturing nearly 25,000 prisoners. The battle occurred on September the 19th, and is sometimes called the battle of Opequon, from Early's. position along the banks of the Opequon creek. The Federals opened the fight by charging upon and breaking Early's first line. This attack was repelled, but, being struck upon the flank, the Confederates gave way and fled in confusion to Winchester. Research Battle of Winchester
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Research Battle of Winchester